INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

European Development Fund

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds were committed by his Department to  (a) European Development Fund (EDF) 7,  (b) 8,  (c) 9, and  (d) 10; and what commitment has been made to the general European Commission budget for development assistance.

Gareth Thomas: The following table sets out the commitment levels for each of the European Development Funds (EDFs) 7, 8, 9, and 10; the UK percentage share of each EDF; and the corresponding commitment made by the Department for International Development (DFID).
	
		
			  EDF  Total commitment € billion  UK share (percentage)  DFID commitment € billion 
			 7 10.940 16.37 1.791 
			 8 12.840 12.69 1.629 
			 9 13.800 12.69 1.751 
			 10 22.682 14.82 3.361 
		
	
	Under the current financial perspective, covering years 2007 to 2013, the European Commission has committed €57 billion to overseas assistance from its general budget. Of this, the average UK share over the period is likely to be 17.40 per cent., amounting to a total of €9.9 billion.

Namibia: Overseas Aid

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken by his Department to twin individual Namibian schools with schools in the United Kingdom.

Hilary Benn: DFID supports partnerships between schools in the UK and Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean through a programme called DFID Global School Partnerships (DGSP). The programme is managed by the British Council, under contract to DFID. It provides advice and guidance, professional development opportunities and grants to schools that are using partnerships as a means to develop and embed a global dimension within their curriculum.
	There are currently four UK-Namibian partnerships through DGSP:
	Hey with Zion VC Primary School in Oldham works with John Shekudja Combined School;
	Warlingham School in Surrey works with Udjombala Junior Secondary School;
	Alsager School in Stoke on Trent works with Oshilemba Combined School; and
	St. Michael's CE Primary School in Herefordshire is partnered with Emma Hoogen Hout School.
	In addition, the British Council operates a programme, not funded by DFID, called 'Connecting Classrooms'. This links schools in the UK with schools in Africa—including Namibia.
	Under this programme 'partnerships' between schools are supported. Each partnership consists of three UK schools, plus three schools from one African country and three schools from another African country. Each partnership is entitled to £15,000 per year, for up to three years, to take part in study visits, to purchase materials, and meet certain other associated costs.
	In 2006-07, two sets of twinning partnerships under 'Connecting Classrooms' involved Namibia: the first was a group of three schools in Namibia, twinned with three schools in Leeds and three schools in Zimbabwe. The second was a group of three schools in Namibia, twinned with three schools in Devon and three schools in Nigeria.

Overseas Aid: Education

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's spending on educational programmes was in each year since 2000, broken down by country.

Gareth Thomas: DFID bilateral expenditure on education in each of the last five years is shown in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: DFID bilateral expenditure on education 
			   Expenditure (£000) 
			 2000-01 165,612 
			 2001-02 134,179 
			 2002-03 165,133 
			 2003-04 221,887 
			 2004-05 269,761 
			 2005-06 249,799 
		
	
	DFID also contributes to the funding of a range of multilateral organisations, a proportion of which will go towards education. The total amount of funding through multilateral agencies is published in Statistics on International Development, a copy of which is available in the Library. Summary information for major agencies relevant to education is provided in table 2. This information cannot be broken down by country.
	
		
			  Table 2: Total DFID expenditure on the funding of selected multilateral organisations 
			  £ million 
			  Multilateral organisation  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 European Community 708 730 871 1,031 951 917 
			 International Development Association 233 214 221 381 204 271 
			 UNICEF 3 18 20 18 24 32 
			 UNESCO 3 3 3 3 3 3 
			 African Development Fund 13 29 33 32 35 34 
			 Asian Development Fund 25 27 26 24 22 19 
		
	
	Direct DFID bilateral expenditure on education for the past six years broken down by country is shown in table 3. These figures include general and sector budget support where it has been scored against education. In the case of Afghanistan, DFID provided £35 million to the Reconstruction Trust Fund in 2005-06 and a proportion of this will have been spent on education but not included in the figures. These figures exclude DFID spending through multilateral agencies and civil society organisations.
	
		
			  Table 3: Direct DFID bilateral expenditure on education between 2000-01 and 2005-06 
			  £000 
			  Country  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Afghanistan 47 — — — — — 
			 Angola 19 — — — — — 
			 Anguilla 1,183 1,004 351 75 123 34 
			 Antigua and Barbuda 701 383 48 — — — 
			 Argentine Republic 7 — — — — — 
			 Bangladesh 9,614 6,605 9,057 7,006 17,656 27,894 
			 Barbados 46 53 73 3 — — 
			 Belarus, Republic of 4 — — — — — 
			 Belize 172 42 — — — — 
			 Bhutan 1 — — -7 — — 
			 Bolivia 199 35 15 500 — — 
			 Botswana 580 511 332 146 4 4 
			 Brazil 517 416 172 — — — 
			 British Virgin Islands 10 — 27 1 — — 
			 Bulgaria 345 — — — — — 
			 Burma 13 — — — — 1 
			 Burundi 14 — — — — 1,600 
			 Cambodia 884 441 182 91 58 16 
			 Cameroon 257 200 230 21 — — 
			 Caribbean 437 216 96 40 — — 
			 Cayman Islands 20 4 — — — — 
			 China 3,860 2,276 6,246 5,894 10,950 2,225 
			 Colombia 1 — — — — 3 
			 Congo, Dem Rep — — — 61 290 148 
			 Czech Republic 165 103 126 28 — — 
			 Dominica 294 257 7 — — 120 
			 East Timor 109 56 1,315 1,319 1,339 432 
			 Ecuador 7 — — — — — 
			 Egypt, Arab Republic 301 357 590 567 725 6 
			 Eritrea 11 — — — — — 
			 Ethiopia 19 21 80 210 861 1,936 
			 Fiji 57 52 26 — — — 
			 Gambia, The 6 — 47 73 10 675 
			 Ghana 6,894 3,996 12,119 14,693 14,954 15,166 
			 Grenada — 9 — — — 99 
			 Guyana 1,459 2,524 2,909 1,939 578 857 
			 Honduras 53 51 29 60 53 43 
			 India 19,277 17,845 30,077 41,873 92,493 97,885 
			 Indonesia 888 693 623 586 544 497 
			 Iran 9 — — — — — 
			 Iraq — — — 11,313 436 8 
			 Jamaica 1,050 1,589 1,439 544 — — 
			 Jordan 801 594 270 25 — — 
			 Kenya 13,711 4,963 1,984 18,924 5,847 5,478 
			 Kiribati 13 19 12 -3 — — 
			 Korea DPRK (North) 83 42 — — — — 
			 Laos 55 — — — — — 
			 Latvia 12 — — — — — 
			 Lebanon 8 — — — — — 
			 Lesotho 194 109 53 12 — — 
			 Liberia — — — — 630 389 
			 Madagascar — — 6 28 54 — 
			 Malawi 16,015 12,778 2,384 8,864 9,841 2,677 
			 Malaysia 346 220 137 4 — — 
			 Mali 4 6 — — — — 
			 Mauritius 19 — — — — — 
			 Moldova, Republic of — — — — — — 
			 Montserrat 1,503 836 1,167 1,388 1,023 1,144 
			 Mozambique 3,709 5,420 3,225 3,461 6,464 8,899 
			 Namibia 394 423 234 112 23 — 
			 Nauru — 6 32 2 — — 
			 Nepal 1,601 1,251 358 490 2,637 5,643 
			 Nicaragua — — 10 31 95 170 
			 Nigeria 1,097 739 461 1,438 4,087 9,937 
			 Pakistan 1,684 1,732 2,192 2,233 336 1,016 
			 Papua New Guinea — — — — — — 
			 Peru 320 66 57 485 126 4 
			 Philippines — — 64 82 65 35 
			 Pitcairn Islands — — — — 3 3 
			 Poland 25 — — — — — 
			 Romania 43 2 — — — — 
			 Russian Federation 5 — — — — — 
			 Rwanda 8,818 7,248 9,437 2,756 2,255 6,045 
			 Serbia and Montenegro — 400 — — — 24 
			 Seychelles — -1 — — — — 
			 Sierra Leone 4 — — — — 28 
			 Slovak Republic 114 7 7 1 — — 
			 Solomon Islands 6 55 13 6 — — 
			 Somali Democratic Rep 75 44 119 377 576 784 
			 South Africa, Republic of 6,062 4,938 7,892 11,549 8,267 5,449 
			 South Pacific 560 716 694 461 189 168 
			 Southern Africa — 40 72 84 53 — 
			 Sri Lanka 1,279 1,346 971 1,431 593 515 
			 St. Helena 2,232 2,086 2,316 2,375 4,168 3,952 
			 St. Lucia — 2 — — — 85 
			 St. Vincent and Grenadines 98 68 — — — 75 
			 Sudan 82 53 1,777 2,117 943 2,404 
			 Swaziland 32 39 35 24 — — 
			 Tajikistan, Republic of 74 — 74 — — 7 
			 Tanzania 23,430 18,042 27,299 36,102 39,049 111 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 126 52 74 28 — — 
			 Turks and Caicos Islands 315 805 444 32 143 -161 
			 Uganda 16,391 13,172 14,565 1,776 474 51 
			 Ukraine 215 112 66 — 6 1 
			 United Kingdom — — — — — — 
			 Vietnam 1,022 599 1,266 5,497 3,673 10,630 
			 West Bank and Gaza 424 176 843 231 10 26 
			 Windward Islands 9 63 58 524 615 634 
			 Yemen, Rep of (YAR to May 1990) — — — 88 548 2,202 
			 Zambia 893 3,113 3,565 7,147 6,162 6,660 
			 Zimbabwe 91 117 63 190 120 140 
			  Note:  The sum of country expenditure does not match expenditure reported in table 1. The expenditure in table 1 also contains regional and global programmes which are not country specific and expenditure through civil society organisations.

Sudan: Returns

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution the UK will be making to the UN high commissioner for refugees appeal to help southern Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons to return home.

Hilary Benn: The return of people to their homes in Sudan is a major priority for the international community in 2007, particularly in the first half of the year, before the rains make movement difficult. DFID has channelled all its funding for the returns process through the UN-administered common humanitarian fund (CHF). The multi-donor CHF is an ideal way of supporting returns as it provides fast and predictable funding. Of the $133 million allocated so far by the CHF (of which the DFID contribution makes up 60 per cent.), $12.4 million was given to support the returns process.
	A considerable amount of the CHF funding for other sectors (e.g. water and sanitation, health and nutrition) in the south ($50 million) and the three areas ($17.8 million) is also targeted at areas of return for refugees and the internally displaced.
	Of the $63 million that the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) received last year for similar operations, the CHF provided $14 million.

Sudan: International Assistance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to assist the Government of Southern Sudan to develop the civil service there.

Hilary Benn: The UK is playing a lead role in support of civil service development for both the Government of the Southern Sudan (GOSS) and the 10 state governments in the South. We have allocated £2 million of bilateral support to a capacity building programme for GOSS. Its achievements to date include service training for newly recruited officials at different levels in central and state level Government and technical assistance for government accountants. We are also supporting civil service reform through the Multi Donor Trust Fund's Capacity Building, Institutional and Human Resource Development in Southern Sudan Project, UNDP and the African Development Bank.

Sumatra: Earthquakes

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid he is making available to the survivors of the earthquake in Sumatra.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has been monitoring the situation in Sumatra since the earthquake struck at 3.49 GMT (10.49 local time) on Tuesday 6 March.
	The Indonesian authorities and the United Nations report that 71 people have died, 192 people have been injured and several hundred homes have been destroyed.
	The Government of Indonesia has sent medical teams to the area and is coordinating delivery of relief items including tents and water. The Indonesian military is providing relief kitchens and clinics.
	The Government of Indonesia has not requested international assistance. We remain ready to respond to requests that the Government may make and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bats: Conservation

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the average cost per application of obtaining the expert advice required to support an application for a bat licence under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Obtaining expert advice in relation to supporting applications for bat licences is a private and commercial matter for the applicant. Consequently, DEFRA does not hold this information.

Birds of Prey

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the evidential basis is for the contention in the review of bird registration that whilst there is evidence that the peregrine is persecuted, it is not for the reasons outlined in the criteria for including the species on Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;
	(2)  what his policy is on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee's recommendation to retain the peregrine falcon on Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Barry Gardiner: There is no reference in the review to the contention to which the hon. Member refers. Peregrine falcons are, of course, already listed on schedule 4 of the 1981 Act. In the Consultation on the Review of Registration under section 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England, Scotland and Wales, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee's (JNCC) recommendation is for the peregrine falcon to be retained on schedule 4.
	My officials will shortly put the results of the recent consultation exercise to me. Therefore, it is too early for me to take a view on the JNCC's recommendation.

Birds of Prey

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the saker falcon will be subject to a fresh review by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as a candidate for listing in Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in view of its endangered status.

Barry Gardiner: We are currently in the midst of a review of schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in which we are reviewing the status of all endangered bird species, including the saker falcon.

Birds: Conservation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the costs of operating the Bird Registration Scheme under section 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 were in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what proportion of these costs are paid by bird keepers.

Barry Gardiner: The cost of running the Bird Registration Scheme for 2005-06 was £304,828. 23.7 per cent. (£72,208) of this was recovered in fees from keepers.

Birds: Conservation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conclusions were drawn from  (a) the Review of Bird Registration and CITES licensing fees in 1999 and  (b) the review of charges for CITES licences and permits in 2004; and whether any changes were made to the fees charged following each review.

Barry Gardiner: In 1999, there was a review of CITES fees which officials subsequently withdrew as being unworkable. The 2004 review resulted in proposals for an increase of CITES fees but, subsequently, this was withdrawn following detailed consultations with HM Treasury.
	No changes were made to fees as a result of these consultation exercises. Both exercises were solely concerned with CITES fees and charges and were not concerned with bird registration fees.

Birds: Conservation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates have been made of the cost implications for enforcement and conservation agencies of the proposals contained within his Department's Review of Bird Registration.

Barry Gardiner: My officials are currently assessing the implications of the consultation exercise. As part of that exercise, I will require them to produce, and publish, a full regulatory impact assessment which will quantify the cost implications of any proposed changes. At the moment, it is too early in the process for me to make any comment on the cost implications.

Birds: Conservation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there is a minimum infrastructure cost associated with running the Bird Registration scheme; and whether reducing the number of birds on Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 would reduce income from bird keepers.

Barry Gardiner: There are fixed costs such as running costs for the IT system. However, these are extremely small (less than 5 per cent. of the total).
	Currently, keepers pay per registration, that is, per bird. Therefore, reducing the number of species listed on schedule 4 would reduce the number of fees (income) paid by keepers.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken  (a) to improve the training of veterinary surgeons undertaking TB testing and  (b) to improve the management of State Veterinary Service staff undertaking TB testing since the DNV Consulting report on Veterinary Surgeons within the Meat Hygiene Service.

Ben Bradshaw: The DNV Consulting Report, 'Review of TB Testing' looked at the way instructions, procedures and interpretive material for TB testing were promulgated, reviewed and complied with by local veterinary inspectors (LVIs) in England and Wales. It considered testing by LVIs and staff within the State Veterinary Service (SVS), not the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS). The MHS does not carry out TB testing on live cattle.
	A CD-Rom training package is being prepared for use by all veterinary surgeons undertaking TB testing which will be rolled out in the near future. The instructions for carrying out the test have been revised. At the same time we are developing plans for refresher training for SVS staff and more formal monitoring procedures.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) beef cows and  (b) dairy cows were compulsorily slaughtered because of bovine tuberculosis in (i) Great Britain, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) each county in each year since 1997; and how many have been slaughtered in 2007.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of cattle, broken down by beef and dairy cows, slaughtered under bovine TB measures in each county of Great Britain, over the time period requested, is not routinely available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. I have arranged for details of the total number of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB measures in each county, from 1997 to 2006, along with provisional data for January 2007, to be placed in the Library of the House.
	1998 to 2005 data is also available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/stats/county.htm

Common Agricultural Policy: Reform

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on Common Agricultural Policy subsidies and reform in favour of aiding the use of excess crop production for the domestic production of bio-fuels.

Ian Pearson: The Government have regular discussions with other member states and the European Commission on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). These discussions are likely to become more frequent as we move towards the proposed 'healthcheck' in 2008.
	Our objectives for the CAP include completing the process of decoupling direct aid and the removal of compulsory set-aside land so that farmers across the EU are free to produce crops in response to market demand. We also aim to end the intervention system which leads to surplus production.
	We will consider the existing CAP measures that support the production of biofuels in the context of these objectives, and Government initiatives to promote the use of bio-energy in road transport fuels.

Departments: Discrimination

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress his Department has made in achieving gender equality in public appointments to bodies which fall within his Department's responsibility since 1997.

Barry Gardiner: The Government remain committed to improving diversity on the boards of public bodies and the principle of equal representation of women and men in public appointments. The annual Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies", contains details of the number of women appointed to public bodies each year by Department. For 2001-06 copies of these documents are available in the Library for the reference of Members.

Departments: Orders and Regulations

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1180W, on departments: orders and regulations, how many general and local statutory instruments were made by his Department in each year since 2001.

Barry Gardiner: The numbers of local and general statutory instruments made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between 2001 and 2006 are as follows:
	
		
			   General  Local 
			 2001 143 373 
			 2002 124 2 
			 2003 109 2 
			 2004 131 5 
			 2005 130 15 
			 2006 145 9

Departments: Video Conferencing

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many video conferences have been held by his Department in each year since 2001.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Statistical information on videoconferencing usage is not held centrally. Defra and its associated agencies have 76 videoconferencing units. Fifteen of these units have been managed by IBM since mid-2005 and the following statistics relate to bookings made for those units only. The other units are mainly on Defra agency sites and are managed locally. To collate the requested usage information from these sites would incur a disproportionate cost to the Department.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2005(1) 304 
			 2006 935 
			 (1 )October to December.

Dolphins: Imports

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dolphins were imported into the United Kingdom from Japan in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: No dead or live dolphins have been imported into the United Kingdom from Japan during the last 10 years.

Environmental Stewardship Scheme

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding he has made available to Natural England for the creation of  (a) entry level and  (b) higher level environmental stewardship schemes during the contingency period before the new rural development programme for England is approved by the European Commission.

Barry Gardiner: As the Secretary of State made clear in his announcement on 12 December 2006,  Official Report, column 77WS, we have kept the Environmental Stewardship Scheme open to new applications in advance of formal approval of the Rural Development Programme for England.
	Agreements entered into since 1 January are provisional and are being funded from existing indicative budgets agreed when the scheme was launched. No specific, separate budget has been made available for the period prior to programme approval.

Environmental Stewardship Scheme

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many agreements on the creation of  (a) entry level and  (b) higher level environmental stewardship schemes he expects Natural England to offer before the new England rural development programme commences; and what he expects the financial value of these agreements to be.

Barry Gardiner: The final, total number of new agreements entered into on a contingency basis since 1 January will depend on the date the new Rural Development Programme for England is approved. During this period, Natural England is continuing to work towards existing targets. That is, by the end of 2007, some 60 per cent. of the agricultural area in England will be managed under an Entry Level Scheme agreement. We are also working towards a target of having some 525,000 hectares of land under a combination of either Higher Level Stewardship or the previously operated Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Fisheries: EC Law

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of EU Council regulation 41/2006, on thornback ray, on the fishing industry in Kent and Essex.

Ben Bradshaw: I am aware of the concerns among this sector of the industry about the effects of this piece of EC legislation on their viability. We are urgently exploring with them options to adapt and respond to the new obligations.

Food: Procurement

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has held with other Ministers on the sourcing of publicly procured food; and what proportion of such food was of British origin in 2006.

Barry Gardiner: My right hon. friend the Secretary of State, together with ministerial colleagues at DfES and DOH spoke at the conference—Food and Farming: Reconnecting a New Generation, on 29 November. The conference promoted sustainable sourcing of food throughout the public sector under the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative; promoted opportunities for farmers and producers to supply public sector contracts; and launched the Year of Food and Farming—an industry-wide initiative supported by DEFRA, DfES and DOH. Other Government agencies are contributing to the initiative which also involves subject associations, teacher associations, key food, farming and countryside sector bodies, together with businesses working in the food, farming and countryside sectors.
	The Department does not hold information on the proportion of publicly procured food of British origin in 2006. The Department is commissioning a MORI survey of local education authorities in England and is also working with its statisticians, key public sector procurers, the NFU, other trade bodies and the major food service companies to produce this information which it will place in the Library of the House when it is available.

Forestry: Subsidies

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will advance the payment of support to those landowners who use their land for forestry for the purposes of developing carbon sinks.

Barry Gardiner: Climate change mitigation is just one of the many benefits of tree planting. The principal objectives of the woodland creation, supported by the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme, are environmental and social.
	The Forestry Commission has already contractually committed most of its woodland creation grants budget for payment in the 2007-08 financial year. There are no plans to offer any new contracts for woodland creation grants until the Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13 has been approved by the EU Commission.

Greyhounds: Waste Disposal

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions has he had with  (a) the Environment Agency and  (b) other authorities on the exhumation of the bodies of greyhounds killed at Seaham, County Durham.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 9 March 2007
	DEFRA Ministers have not held discussions with the Environment Agency or other authorities specifically on this matter. However, my officials have monitored progress and briefed Ministers accordingly.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what compensation or redress is available to those who have received unsatisfactory service under the Warm Front scheme;
	(2)  how many contractors have been removed from the Warm Front scheme by Eaga Partnership because of unsatisfactory performance;
	(3)  what sanctions are applied by Eaga Partnership when contractors carry out unsatisfactory work as part of the Warm Front scheme.

Ian Pearson: The Scheme Manager, the Eaga Partnership, continually monitor and audit contractors appointed to work under the Warm Front Scheme. It has introduced vendor-rating systems against which contractors are assessed.
	The vendor rating system provides an assessment of contractors using various criteria including (but not limited to) customer service, professionalism and workmanship. The vendor rating of each contractor determines the level of work they receive in the future.
	Contractors who irrevocably fall short of these standards can be removed from the Warm Front Scheme. However, no contractors have been removed to date under the second phase of Warm Front.
	If a Warm Front customer feels that they have received unsatisfactory service from the scheme they can in the first instance complain to the Eaga Customer Complaints Team. Should they not be satisfied with the response they can pursue matters with the Defra Fuel Poverty Team, Defra Service Standards Complaints Adjudicator Unit, Defra Ministers or The Parliamentary Ombudsman.
	With regards to possible redress/compensation, this will depend on the specifics of each case.

Meat: Origin Marking

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the percentage of imported foreign meat that was subsequently labelled as being British in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to prevent imported foreign meat being labelled as British.

Barry Gardiner: Where meat has been subject to substantial processing, it is permissible to describe as its origin the country where that change took place. If the absence of information might mislead consumers, then Guidance on Country of Origin Labelling and Clear Food Labelling produced by the Food Standards Agency suggests that both the origin of the meat and the country where the processing takes place should be declared in order to facilitate informed consumer choice. More restrictive rules apply to beef and poultry meat that has not been processed.
	Ultimately, the use of misleading labelling, including information on the country of origin, is governed by the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Food Safety Act 1990. The Food Standards Agency is currently revising its Guidance, and my Department is closely involved with this.

Milk

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to protect the UK milk production sector from European competition.

Barry Gardiner: If the UK milk production sector is to remain competitive it must become more efficient and market-focused. In England, the Government are helping it to do so through a range of measures, including:
	(i) our support for English Farming and Food Partnerships (which is promoting collaboration and co-operation between farmers and between farmers and the rest of the food chain);
	(ii) the Food Chain Centre (which has been promoting benchmarking and investigating the scope for efficiencies with supply chains); and
	(iii) the Dairy Supply Chain Forum (which aims to increase the efficiency and promote the sustainable development of the dairy supply chain).
	Defra has also awarded grants of over £1.3 million under the Agriculture Development Scheme to projects that aim help the dairy sector become more efficient. We understand that a strategic action plan for the dairy industry in Wales has been developed to encourage effective measures that will stimulate innovation and product development.

Rights of Way

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to consult on regulations under sections 54 and 56 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 on the extinguishment of public rights of way at the cut-off date.

Barry Gardiner: I expect the Department to issue a consultation paper on these regulations by September 2007.

River Thames: Environment Protection

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) Delivery Plan prevents irreversible damage to the SPA and the habitat of the woodlark, nightjar and Dartford warbler.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 5 March 2007
	The Government office for the South East continues to work in partnership with Communities and Local Government, Defra, Natural England and the South East England Regional Assembly to develop a strategic approach to the required housing delivery around the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, whilst ensuring that the site is appropriately protected from future impacts in accordance with the habitats directive.
	The draft Thames Basin Heaths Delivery Plan is currently being considered as part of the Examination in Public (EiP) of the South East Regional Spatial Strategy. The assessor appointed to examine this draft Delivery Plan published his report to the EiP Panel on 19 February 2007. This report will be debated further on 22 March 2007 at an EiP session.

Sewers

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what length in miles of unadopted sewers there is in each region of England.

Ian Pearson: The most recent Ofwat estimates of private, unadopted, pipework outside the property curtilage, in England, by water and sewerage company area, are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Water and sewerage company  Length of unadopted sewers (kilometre) 
			 Anglian 21,000 
			 United Utilities 21,000 
			 Northumbrian 9,000 
			 Severn Trent 29,000 
			 Southern 13,000 
			 South West 5,000 
			 Thames 26,000 
			 Wessex 8,000 
			 Yorkshire 16,000

Single Farm Payments: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex have not received a single farm payment for 2006.

Barry Gardiner: As of 28 February 2007 a total of 88,842 customers have received either a full or partial 2006 Single Payment Scheme payment, representing 81.5 per cent. of the estimated total claimant population of 109,000.
	The total value of 2006 payments is £965.53 million, 62.8 per cent. of the estimated total fund of £1.54 billion.
	These figures include 2,577 partial payments (including Euro payments) and 2,298 full payments which were made in the last week, as well as over 3,300 top-up payments which were made to customers who previously received a partial payment.
	Detailed analysis of the payments made under the Single Payment Scheme is not yet available.

Sugar Beet: Biofuels

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to help sugar beet farmers diversify their markets to use their crop for fuel production.

Barry Gardiner: Following the reform of the sugar regime, farmers can grow sugar beet on set-aside land for bioethanol use and can claim the European Union's €45 per hectare Energy Aid payment for sugar beet on non set-aside land.
	The Government are promoting the production of bioethanol through a 20p per litre duty rate cut. To further develop the supply of biofuels, a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation will be introduced to require 5 per cent. of fuel sold in the UK to come from a renewable source by 2010.
	We are aware that British Sugar are building a biofuel processing plant in Norfolk that will use sugar beet as one of the feedstocks.

Wood: Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce imports of timber from Burma  (a) to the UK and  (b) to the EU.

Barry Gardiner: The UK supports the EU's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan which envisages voluntary partnership agreements with individual countries to promote trade in legally produced timber. Burma is not a FLEGT partner country and its timber exports are therefore not promoted under this scheme. In the UK, the Government maintains a long-standing policy of discouraging British companies from trading with Burma.

TRANSPORT

A50: Road Traffic

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the last five noise level readings were for the A50 Doveridge bypass; and when each was taken.

Stephen Ladyman: Noise level readings are not routinely taken for trunk roads and none have been taken for the A50 Doveridge bypass.

Departments: Disclosure of Information

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make available to the participants the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2006 between himself, the hon. Member for Richmond Park, Mrs. Eileen Dallaglio and others.

Douglas Alexander: Following the undertaking that I gave at the meeting on 13 November 2006, copies of the Minutes have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Departments: Security

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many current passes to his Department have been allocated to employees of private companies.

Gillian Merron: The Department has 4,711 valid passes issued to contractors and consultants providing services to its headquarters and agency premises.

Level Crossings: Accidents

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents occurred at railway level crossings in each of the last five years; and how many of those were due to  (a) signal failure and  (b) (i) pedestrians and (ii) vehicles on the line.

Tom Harris: Statistics on accidents at level crossings and their causes are given in the annual reports on railway safety, now produced by the Office of Rail Regulation and previously by the Health and Safety Executive. Copies are available in the House Library.
	The Rail Safety and Standards Board have estimated that 96 per cent. of the risk at level crossings is due to the behaviour of crossing users.

M5: Accidents

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the accident rate is on the stretch of the M5 motorway between each of the junctions from 8 to 11A; what the average accident rate is on each motorway in England; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 6 March 2007
	Actual figures for individual stretches of motorway are not normally available. However, the accident rate on the M5 motorway, between each of the junctions from 8 to 11 a, averaged over the period 2003-05, is as follows:
	
		
			  Junction  Accident rate (accidents per 10( 8)  vehicle km( 1) ) 
			 J8-9 8.8 
			 J9-10 5.2 
			 J10-11 8.3 
			 J11-11a 8.1 
			 J8-11a 7.2 
			 (1)100 million vehicle kilometres 
		
	
	The accident rate for each motorway in England, averaged over the period 2003-05, for which figures are available, is as follows:
	
		
			  Motorway  accidents per 10( 8)  vehicle km( 1) ) 
			 1 11.4 
			 2 10.9 
			 3 8.3 
			 4 8.8 
			 5 6.7 
			 6 9.5 
			 10 11.7 
			 11 8.5 
			 18 6.0 
			 20 10.3 
			 23 9.6 
			 25 13.9 
			 26 7.3 
			 27 9.6 
			 40 6.5 
			 42 5.8 
			 45 0.6 
			 48 3.6 
			 49 6.1 
			 50 4.8 
			 53 10.3 
			 54 5.6 
			 55 8.3 
			 56 6.9 
			 57 11.0 
			 58 6.1 
			 60 9.3 
			 61 10.5 
			 62 9.5 
			 65 10.7 
			 66 7.8 
			 67 10.8 
			 69 8.8 
			 180 7.8 
			 181 13.3 
			 271 39.8 
			 602 17.0 
			 606 18.6 
			 621 11.8 
		
	
	These figures have been obtained exceptionally but should not necessarily be used for comparison purposes as each motorway differs in length and usage.

Petrol Stations

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to require details of additives to petrol and diesel by refineries to be displayed to customers at the point of sale at petrol stations.

Stephen Ladyman: I have no plans to impose such a requirement, since to do so would place a burden on industry without significantly adding to the protection available to consumers.
	Fuels can contain a wide range of additives. Information on the composition of these would be unlikely to be comprehensible to motorists and may well be proprietary to the fuel supplier.
	It is unlikely that such a requirement would have prevented the recent incident in which fuel was found to be contaminated with silicon, since the contaminant had not been deliberately added to the fuel at any stage and the suppliers were unaware of its presence.

Ports: Liverpool

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects a decision to be announced on the application for the post panamax terminal in the port of Liverpool.

Stephen Ladyman: A decision on the application for the Seaforth River Terminal Harbour Revision Order will be announced as soon as all the necessary statutory procedures have been completed.

Roads: Noise

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the concreted trunk road network has had a quieter surface installed since July 2000; and which roads with concrete surfaces  (a) have and  (b) have not had work begin.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency has a policy of using quieter surfaces as a matter of course whenever a road needs to be resurfaced. Since July 2000 approximately 35 per cent. of the concrete sections of the strategic road network have been surfaced with quieter materials. Tables (A) and (B) indicate concrete sections surfaced and sections not surfaced respectively.
	
		
			  Table A: Concrete sections surfaced with quieter materials 
			   Scheme 
			 1999-2000 M20 Junctions 3-5 
			 2000-2001 M20 Junctions 9-10 
			 2001-2002 No Schemes Completed 
			 2002-2003 M180 Junction 2 to Beltoft 
			  A12 Brentwood Bypass Phase 2 
			  M11 Junction 8 (Stanstead Slip Rd Contract) 
			  M20 Junction 11 - Smeeth 
			  M27 Junctions 2-4 
			  M11 Junctions 7-6 southbound 
			  M5 Junctions 26-27 Contract 1 
			 2003-2004 A1 Long Bennington (Additional stretch to April 2003 announcement) 
			  M42 Junctions 2-3a 
			  M180 Sandtoft - Junction 2 
			  M11 B1038 (Newport) A11 (M11 Junction 9 Junction 8 Phase 1) (new scheme from October 2001 announcement) 
			  M1 Junctions 1-2 
			  M20 Junctions 11a-11 
			  M20 Junctions 13-11a 
			  M25 Junctions 26-27 
			  M5 Junctions 26-27 Contract 2 
			  M5 Junctions 27 South to Willand (additional stretch to April announcement) 
			  A12Witham-Kelvedon 
			 2004-2005 M11 Junction 6 (additional stretch to April 2003 announcement) 
			  A1(M) Junction 1 (South Mimms) 
			  M4 Junction 10 Slip Roads - phase 1 
			  A27 Chichester to Havant (phases 1 and 2) 
			  A1 North Muskham to Carlton on Trent (phases 1 and 2) 
			  M5 J26-J27 Contract 3 
			  M69 Junction 2 - M1 Contract 1 
			 2005-2006 A180 Habrough to Stallingborough (new scheme from October 2001announcement) 
			  M62 Gilberdyke to Newport (Additional stretch to April 2003 announcement) 
			  A1 North Muskham to Carlton on Trent (phase 3) 
			  A27 Chichester to Havant (phase 3) 
			  M20 Junction 3 - A20 West Kingstown 
			  A34 Peartree to Weston 
			  A36: M27 roundabout to Circuit Road roundabout (Additional stretch to April 2003 announcement) 
			 2006-2007 A1 Coddington to Balderton 
			  M1 1 J9-8 Phase 2 (B1038 Newport-Ugley) 
			  M6 Junction 12 to Penkridge 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Concrete sections not re-surfaced with quieter materials 
			  Concrete Road Section Description  Concrete Section Length - km 
			 M1 -A1 Link 15.5 
			 M20 Junction 1 / M25 J3 1.1 
			 M20 Junctions 8-9 20.4 
			 M25 Junctions 9-10 7.8 
			 M27 Junctions 5-7 5.7 
			 M60 J1 -2 Concrete Overlay 1.7 
			 A5 Milton Keynes (A422-A508) 6.3 
			 A11: B1172-A47 13.7 
			 A12 Ingateston-Margaretting 4.4 
			 A12 Hatfield Peverel-Witham 5.2 
			 A13: A1306-M25J30 3 
			 A14 Claydon - B1067 Underbridge 3 
			 A30 Honiton-Exeter 16.2 
			 A47 East Dereham: East Dereham - B1135 3.3 
			 A50: Doveridge Bypass 4 
			 A419 / A417 Cirencester and Latton Bypasses 14.2 
			 A1 Coddington to Balderton phase2 3.0 
			 M42 Junctions 9-10 5.1 
			 M6 Penkridge to junction 13 3.8 
			 M18 Junctions 5-6 2.3 
			 M25 Junctions 10-11 9.2 
			 M25 Junctions 24-25 8.5 
			 M25 Junctions 8-9 7.2 
			 M42 Junctions 3a-4 3.5 
			 M54: A5-A41 9.3 
			 M271 Junctions 1 to A3057 2.8 
			 A11 -Barton Mills 2.8 
			 A12 Contract 11 : Kelvedon Bypass-Eight Ash Green 7.7 
			 A12 Margaretting-Boreham 13.4 
			 A14 B1067 Underbridge - Copdock Interchange 3.3 
			 A14 Copdock Interchange - A12 8 
			 A19 Billingham Bypass 4.2 
			 A30 Long rock Bypass 1.8 
			 A35 Tolpuddle-Puddletown 7.2 
			 A50 Derby Southern Bypass 0.5 
			 A52 Bottesford Bypass 4.8 
			 A120 Elmstead-Wix Eastbound 3.5 
			 A168 / A19 Thirsk Bypass 8 
			 A249: M2-Iwade 7.9 
			 A483: 65445-Welsh Boundary 3.1 
			 M3 Junctions 8-9 9 
			 M4 Junction 10 slip roads - phase 2 0.5 
			 M11 Junctions 5-6 4.7 
			 M18 Moorelands-Greenland 4.9 
			 M23 Junction 10-9 NB 1 
			 M25 Junctions 27-28 5.6 
			 M26 - J2A to M20 Concrete and EB overlay (MP 14/6 to 15/9) 0.8 
			 M53 Junctions 11-12 (A56-M56) 3.9 
			 M54: A41-A449 12.9 
			 M56 Junction 15 (M53)-A5117 3 
			 A14 A12 Levington 3.7 
			 A14 Elmswell 3.6 
			 A30 Whiddon Down to Okehampton 6.9 
			 A46 Six Hills-Widmerpool 9.5 
			 A47 East Dereham: Wending-East Dereham 4.3 
			 A50 Blythe Bridge to Uttoxeter 12.4 
			 A50: Foston Hatton Hilton Bypass 3.6 
			 A120: A12-Elmstead 4.5 
			 A160: A1077-A180 4.4 
			 A180: Habrough to Grimsby 11.5 
			 A180:M180-Ulceby 8 
			 A303 Illminster Bypass 8.8

Safety Belts

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of  (a) fatalities and  (b) injuries sustained in road crashes where the failure to wear a seat belt was a contributory factor.

Stephen Ladyman: Statistical data on failure to wear a seatbelt as a contributory factor is not collected. Research reported in the recently published "Second Review of the Government's Road Safety Strategy" and "Road Safety Research Report No. 76: Trends in Fatal Car-occupant Accidents" both published on 26 February 2007, estimates that about a third of fatally injured car occupants were not wearing their seatbelts. For 2005 figures, it represents about 565 people, and it is estimated that about 370 people might have survived if they had been properly restrained. A research report giving further details has also been published by TRL limited. These three reports can be downloaded from the following links:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategytargets performance/2ndreview/
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme5/76?version=2
	http://www.trl.co.uk/store/report_detail.asp?srid=6160 &pid=220
	Copies of the reports are also available from the Libraries of the House.

Shipping

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve short sea shipping in UK coastal waters.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department promotes coastal shipping where this makes sense and has provided over £34 million of grant support for water freight projects since 2000.
	In 2005, we introduced the new Waterborne Freight Grant scheme to assist shipping companies with their operating costs where there are environmental benefits to be gained from modal shift.
	On a day to day basis we look to Sea and Water, the industry-led organisation which has received Department funding of £120,000 per annum since its formation in 2003, to take the lead in promoting coastal shipping services.

Shipping: EC Action

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the European Commission Green Paper on maritime transport policy.

Stephen Ladyman: The UK national consultation ended on 28 February 2007 and in total the Department has received 37 written responses to the consultation from interested parties.
	Many of these are umbrella responses from trade associations and other membership bodies representing a wide range of stakeholders.

Southern: Rolling Stock

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made in securing the early release by Southern of the class 319 trains for use on the Thameslink service; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The Department for Transport is continuing to work with First Capital Connect and other industry partners to try to find a solution which would enable Southern to release the remaining 12 of its dual-voltage Class 319 units in advance of the end of its franchise in December 2009.

Transport: Orders and Regulations

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the  (a) one-off cost and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Disability Discrimination (Transport Vehicles) Regulations 2005 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Gillian Merron: The Disability Discrimination (Transport Vehicles) Regulations 2005 were accompanied by a full regulatory impact assessment, including one-off and recurring costs to business. A copy was placed in the House Library.

Transport: Orders and Regulations

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the  (a) one-off cost and  (b) recurring costs of implementing the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and the Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2005 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Stephen Ladyman: The total costs to industry estimated in the final regulatory impact assessment (RIA) were:
	 (a) for the first year after the proposals came into force, a one-off cost of £25 million—£53 million (incurred as a result of implementation of new security requirements following the events of 9/11);
	Additionally, £0.05 million or less incurred as a result of further safety measures.
	 (b) £80 million (in present value terms) incurred over the remaining nine years (primarily relating to approval of bulk containers and changes to classification, packaging and vehicle marking in relation to class 7 radioactive materials as required by the EC directives.
	The cost to regulators was absorbed in the normal running costs of the Department.

Transport: Orders and Regulations

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the  (a) one-off cost and  (b) recurring costs of implementing Directive 2002/15/EC, on the working time of persons performing mobile and road transport activities to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Stephen Ladyman: The European Road Transport Working Time Directive 2002/15/EC is intended to help prevent "mobile workers" (mainly drivers and crew of HGVs, buses and coaches) from being forced to work excessively long hours. The directive also helps promote road safety and to ensure fair competition across Europe (by delivering a "level playing field" on working time).
	The regulatory impact assessment (RIA) for the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/639), which implemented directive 2002/15/EC in Great Britain, estimated a one-off cost to industry of £25 to £50 million and a recurring net cost of £280 to £565 million per annum. The RIA did not estimate a one-off cost for regulators but estimated recurring enforcement costs of £120,000-£217,000 per annum. Copies of the RIA are available in the Libraries of the House, but early indications suggest that the compliance cost to industry may have been overestimated.
	The Government have begun a review of the UK's implementation of the directive which will look at, among other things, the administrative burden placed on business by the implementing regulations.

Transport: Orders and Regulations

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the  (a) one-off cost and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Stephen Ladyman: The total costs to industry estimated in the final regulatory impact assessment (RIA) were:
	 (a) a one-off cost of £47 million incurred in the first year after the proposals came into force (primarily related to the increased scope of driver training to drivers working in petroleum transport sector);
	 (b) a further £293 million (in present value terms using a discount rate of 3.5 per cent.) incurred over the remaining nine years.
	The cost to regulators was absorbed in the normal running costs of the Department.

WALES

Big Lottery Fund

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the effect on lottery funding for projects in Wales of the allocation of funding from the Big Lottery Fund to projects being developed for the 2012 Olympics.

Peter Hain: I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on matters affecting Wales.
	The Lottery has brought over £0.9 billion of awards to good causes in Wales since 1994. I, along with Cabinet colleagues and Assembly Ministers, am working to minimise the impact of the Olympics on Lottery funding for good causes in Wales.
	I am determined, also, that Wales will make the most of the opportunities presented by the Games in terms of business opportunities, tourism, investment and participation in sport.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Liaison Committee

Pete Wishart: To ask the Leader of the House if he will review the composition of the Liaison Committee.

Jack Straw: I have no plans to propose to the House any changes to the principles underlying the composition of the Liaison Committee. These are that the Committee should comprise the chairmen of the other select committees of the House, with—at present—a senior former select committee chairman added to the Committee who serves as its chairman.

Citizenship Education

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on how public understanding of the workings and processes of Parliament can be improved by citizenship education in schools.

Jack Straw: I have not held specific discussions on this issue.

Communications Allowance

Oliver Heald: To ask the Leader of the House what the estimated level of the new communications allowance is; and whether the incidental expenses provision allowance will be changed once the new communications allowance has been introduced.

Jack Straw: The Members Estimate Committee is currently considering this and is expected to make proposals imminently, which will be published in a report from the Committee.

Members' Constituency Work

Oliver Heald: To ask the Leader of the House how much hon. Members were allowed to spend on publicity, literature and communications to constituents in  (a) 1996-97 and  (b) 2006-07.

Jack Straw: Communications to constituents is ordinarily charged by hon. Members to their parliamentary allowances. Members can spend any amount on such items up to the relevant annual limit, provided the expenditure conforms to the rules and guidance published by the Department of Finance and Administration in the Green Book.
	In 1996-97 the then office costs allowance (OCA) was set at £47,568, while the 2006-07 incidental expenses provision (IEP) is £20,440. The OCA also covered staffing costs as well as general office costs, whereas in 2006-07 there is a separate staffing allowance in addition to the IEP.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parking Spaces

Chris Bryant: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many drivers have parking spaces at the Palace of Westminster allocated to them by the House authorities.

Nick Harvey: There are 32 parking spaces allocated by the House of Commons authorities to drivers at the Palace of Westminster.

Lady Thatcher Statue

Gordon Prentice: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many representations he has received about the statue of Lady Thatcher in Members' Lobby.

Nick Harvey: The Advisory Committee on Works of Art has received two representations about the statue of Lady Thatcher in Members' Lobby. I am not aware of any other representations to the Commission.

Hospitality: Dining Rooms

John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what estimate the Commission has made of the cost to the public purse of providing hospitality via the Commons dining rooms.

Nick Harvey: After inclusion of purchase costs and the cost of staff directly engaged by the Refreshment Department in the booking and delivery of banqueting services, a net profit of over £960,000 was made from hospitality and other events held in the House of Commons private dining rooms in 2005-06.
	This figure does not include overheads such as accommodation, procurement, utilities, staff training or pension costs which are not calculated separately.

House of Commons: St. George's Day

Iain Wright: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what plans the House authorities have to celebrate St. George's Day.

Nick Harvey: Continuing its theme of celebrating the British Patron Saints' Days, the Refreshment Department will celebrate St. George's Day on 23 April by offering special dishes throughout its cafeterias and in the Members' and Strangers' dining rooms. Menus will showcase prime English meats, poultry, vegetables, cheeses and other seasonal produce, sourced by the Department's wholesalers from farmers and small producers throughout the English regions. Also, the Union flag will be flown from Victoria Tower on St. George's Day.

Portcullis House: Flags

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will place in the Library a copy of the health and safety report into the access to the flagpole on Portcullis House.

Nick Harvey: A copy of the health and safety report will be placed in the Library.

Repairs and Maintenance

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much the Commission spent on  (a) acquisitions of office space,  (b) refurbishment and  (c) maintenance on the House of Commons estate in each year since 1990.

Nick Harvey: Since 1990 the main acquisition of office accommodation has been the construction of Portcullis House over a number of financial years at a capital cost of £234 million. Leasehold space was taken on at 7 Millbank during the 1990s; the annual rental is currently £4.7 million. More recently, additional leasehold space has been taken on a temporary basis at 4 Millbank at an annual rental of £0.7 million to provide decant space for use while core parts of the estate are refurbished. Major office refurbishments undertaken in the period have included:
	1 Parliament Street and Derby Gate
	Norman Shaw North
	Norman Shaw South
	Commons Court Offices
	St. Stephen's Tower offices.
	Care of the Palace of Westminster and the parliamentary outbuildings was transferred to Parliament by the Parliamentary Corporate Bodies Act in April 1992. Over the years the interpretation of maintenance and building activity, as well as the accounting regime used to record expenditure, has changed, making it difficult to give figures on a consistent basis. The published accounts show the following costs for accommodation services:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1992-93 21.9 
			 1993-94 25.9 
			 1994-95 22.1 
			 1995-96 33.2 
			 1996-97 20.9 
			 1997-98 22.1 
			 1998-99 23.3 
			 1999-2000 27.2 
			 2000-01 23.8 
			 2001-02 35.8 
			 2002-03 36.0 
			 2003-04 24.3 
			 2004-05 25.7 
			 2005-06 24.7 
		
	
	For 2003-04 onwards, a more detailed breakdown is available as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Current expenditure
			 Office refurbishment 0.6 0.6 1.7 
			 Office maintenance 2.1 2.1 2.4 
			 Other accommodation costs including security 21.6 23.0 20.6 
			 Total 24.3 25.7 24.7 
			 
			  Capital expenditure
			 Office furniture 0.1 0.1 0.1 
		
	
	Cost trends can be influenced by major projects. For example, the increase in office refurbishment expenditure in 2005-06 reflects the initiation of the Press Gallery refurbishment.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Children: Day Care

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of child care  (a) places and  (b) providers (i) opened and (ii) closed in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by (A) the private, voluntary and independent sector and (B) the state sector.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 6 March 2007
	The information requested about child care places and providers broken down by sector is not available.
	The following tables provide information for all types of day care provider.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number and percentage of child care providers that have opened and closed 2004-06, England 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  March to December 2006 
			   Number  Rate  Number  Rate  Number  Rate  Number  Rate 
			  Opened 21,200 22.9 18,500 20.1 16,500 17.3 12,100 12.6 
			 Childminders 16,300 22.5 13,100 18.7 12,000 16.8 8,800 12.3 
			 Full day care 2,500 22.7 2,800 23.2 2,300 17.5 1,700 12.4 
			 Out of school 2,400 26.0 2,600 26.8 2,300 21.9 1,700 15.8 
			  
			  Closed 14,400 15.5 19,200 20.9 13,000 13.7 11,300 11.8 
			 Childminders 12,100 16.7 15,300 21.8 10,300 14.4 8,800 12.3 
			 Full day care 1,100 10.0 1,800 14.9 1,300 9.9 1,100 8.0 
			 Out of school 1,200 13.0 2,200 22.7 1,500 14.3 1,400 13.0 
			  Note:  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100.   Source:  Ofsted. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number and percentage of child care places opened and closed 2004-06, England 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  March to December 2006 
			   Number  Rate  Number  Rate  Number  Rate  Number  Rate 
			  Opened 238,600 21.6 254,100 21.6 214,800 17.1 157,400 12.2 
			 Childminders 62,800 19.6 53,000 16.8 48,800 15.1 37,000 11.4 
			 Full day care 98,600 21.6 117,600 22.7 90,900 16.1 68,400 11.5 
			 Out of school 77,200 23.6 83,500 24.5 75,200 20.5 52,000 14.0 
			  
			  Closed 128,400 11.6 200,800 17.1 144,600 11.5 128,100 9.9 
			 Childminders 50,400 15.8 63,000 19.9 44,800 13.9 37,900 11.7 
			 Full day care 38,500 8.4 65,600 12.7 48,700 8.6 41,800 7.0 
			 Out of school 39,500 12.1 72,200 21.2 51,100 13.9 48,500 13.1 
			  
			  Net steady state changes( 1) +24,600 2.2 +19,200 1.6 +8,900 0.7 +7,700 0.6 
			 Childminders +6,400 2.0 +6,300 2.0 +2,100 0.7 +2,200 0.7 
			 Full day care +14,600 3.2 +9,600 1.9 +5,600 1.0 +4,300 0.7 
			 Out of school +3,600 1.1 +3,300 1.0 +1,200 0.3 +1,100 0.3 
			  
			 Net change +134,900 12.2 +72,600 6.2 +79,100 6.3 +36,900 2.9 
			 (1 )The net steady state refers to registered providers whose registration status has not changed, but whose number of places has fluctuated over the period in question.   Note:  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100.   Source:  Ofsted. 
		
	
	The Department is unable to provide accurate details of closure rates for child care places and providers prior to 2003.
	Since March 2003 data on closure rates have been available from Ofsted. Their data on closures include registered places in settings which are transferring ownership, and in settings which move from one Ofsted category to another, not just in those which are ceasing trading.
	Ofsted have produced figures on the numbers of registered child care providers and places on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published in their report "Registered Childcare Providers and Places, December 2006", which is available on their website, www.Ofsted.gov.uk/

Children: Day Care

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many childcare places for children under five were available in Warrington in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 6 March 2007
	The available information on the number of registered child care places for children under eight in Warrington local authority area is shown in the tables. The latest figures on registered child care provider and places are available on the following website:
	www.ofsted.gov.uk/
	
		
			  Table 1: Number( 1, 2 ) of registered child care places for children under eight years of age by type of care, Warrington, position at 31 March each year, 2003-06 
			  Type of care  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Full day care 2,100 2,700 2,700 2,800 
			 Sessional day care 1,100 900 800 900 
			 Child minders 1,900 1,800 1,600 1,700 
			 Out-of-school day care 2,200 2,600 2,700 3,000 
			 Crèche day care 200 200 300 300 
			 (1 )Rounded to the nearest 100 places.  (2 )Data Source: Ofsted. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number( 1, 2 ) of day care places for children under eight years of age by type of provider, Warrington, position at 31 March each year, 1990-2002 
			  Type of provider  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002 
			 Day nurseries — 1,000 1,300 1,600 — — 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools — — 1,400 1,300 1,100 — 
			 Child minders — — 2,700 2,400 1,300 — 
			 Out-of-school clubs — — 660 900 990 — 
			 Holiday schemes(3) — — 1,200 1,300 5,900 — 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 places.  (2 )Data  Source:  Children's Day Care Facilities Survey. (3) From 1999, places were counted once for each school holiday. Before 1999, places were counted once each year.   Note: — = Not available.

Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is the policy of his Department that the Key Stage 3 curriculum should be less knowledge based and more skills based.

Jim Knight: Our policy is that the Key Stage 3 curriculum should ensure that young people secure the key discipline concepts, skills and knowledge to gain an understanding of the subjects they have studied. It should also equip young people with the wider personal, learning and thinking skills needed for everyday life.

Departments: Private Finance Initiative

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  for which future projects his Department is considering a private finance initiative deal; what the estimated life time value is of each potential contract; and what period each will cover;
	(2)  what percentage of his Department's budget was taken up by private finance initiative commitments in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what percentage of his Department's budget will be taken up by private finance initiative commitments in each of the next 10 years, assuming that the budget grows in line with the Treasury's estimates for gross domestic product over the period; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: PFI credits relate solely to schools capital funding. Future PFI credits available to the Department as part of its capital baseline are largely assigned to the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. PFI contracts usually cover a 25 to 30 year period. After this, the buildings will normally transfer to the local authority which is the signatory to the contract. Partnerships for Schools, our delivery partner for BSF, is working with each local authority which has joined the programme to establish which school projects are suitable for investment through PFI. This is decided on value for money grounds and is usually for those projects where the school is to be largely rebuilt, rather than refurbished.
	Percentage budget figures for PFI credits over the last 10 years to 2006-07, and planned for the years 2007-08 to 2010-11, are set out in the following table. The Department has no plans beyond the next spending review period ending 2010-11. The PFI percentage figure is established by dividing PFI credits by the total schools capital funding baseline, including PFI credits.
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 1997-98 0 
			 1998-99 12 
			 1999-2000 25 
			 2000-01 17 
			 2001-02 19 
			 2002-03 26 
			 2003-04 20 
			 2004-05 22 
			 2005-06 22 
			 2006-07 22 
			 2007-08 20 
			 2008-09 20 
			 2009-10 19 
			 2010-11 16 
		
	
	The changes in the PFI percentage reflect, from year to year, the different rates at which PFI credits and other allocations have increased.

Pupil Exclusions

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Lancashire pupils were permanently excluded from  (a) primary school and  (b) secondary school in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools, number of permanent exclusions( 1, 2) , position in January each year 
			   Lancashire local authority area( 3)  Lancashire local authority area( 4) 
			   Primary  Secondary  Primary  Secondary 
			   Number  Percentage( 5)  Number  Percentage( 5)  Number  Percentage( 5)  Number  Percentage( 5) 
			 1995/96 45 0.03 303 0.35 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1996/97 42 0.03 353 0.40 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1997/98 n/a n/a n/a n/a 43 0.04 240 0.33 
			 1998/99 n/a n/a n/a n/a 32 0.03 209 0.29 
			 1999/2000 n/a n/a n/a n/a 19 0.02 144 0.19 
			 2000/01 n/a n/a n/a n/a 34 0.03 207 0.28 
			 2001/02 n/a n/a n/a n/a 39 0.04 240 0.32 
			 2002/03 n/a n/a n/a n/a 30 0.03 302 0.40 
			 2003/04 n/a n/a n/a n/a 36 0.04 282 0.37 
			 2004/05 n/a n/a n/a n/a 25 0.03 238 0.31 
		
	
	
		
			   Blackburn with Darwen local authority area( 4)  Blackpool local authority area( 4) 
			   Primary  Secondary  Primary  Secondary 
			   Number  Percentage( 5)  Number  Percentage( 5)  Number  Percentage( 5)  Number  Percentage( 5) 
			 1995/96 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1996/97 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1997/98 6 0.04 49 0.51 (6)— (6)— 36 0.52 
			 1998/99 (6)— (6)— 23 0.24 (6)— (6)— 18 0.25 
			 1999/2000 (6)— (6)— 38 0.40 (6)— (6)— 17 0.23 
			 2000/01 (6)— (6)— 45 0.47 (6)— (6)— 23 0.29 
			 2001/02 7 0.05 31 0.33 6 0.05 27 0.33 
			 2002/03 8 0.05 38 0.40 11 0.09 30 0.35 
			 2003/04 (6)— (6)— 31 0.32 (6)— (6)— 46 0.53 
			 2004/05 6 0.04 24 0.25 (6)— (6)— 56 0.64 
			 n/a = Not applicable. (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) As reported by LAs as part of the data checking process. (3) Before local government reorganisation. (4) After local government reorganisation. (5) The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) pupils in primary and secondary schools in January each year (6) Less than 5 or a rate based on less than 5.  Source: Schools Census.

Pupil Exclusions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many exclusions there were in each local education authority in  (a) 1997 and (b) 2006.

Jim Knight: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in English schools receive free fruit on a daily basis; what the annual cost is of this scheme; what estimate he has made of the cost of extending this scheme to all primary aged school children; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	There are currently 1,961,316 children participating in the school fruit and vegetable scheme in 16,505 schools. The cost is £36.2 million for produces and delivery and £0.5 million for administration in the current 2006-07 financial year. We have not made a detailed estimate of the cost of extending the scheme to all primary aged school children.

Schools: Calderdale

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance has been  (a) requested by and  (b) given to (i) the local education authority in Calderdale to support schools in special measures and (ii) schools in special measures.

Jim Knight: A range of support is available to local authorities to help them to improve their schools, including guidance from the Department on schools causing concern, central funding from a variety of sources, a number of intervention and capacity building programmes and a network of school improvement delivery agencies some of whose work includes the provision of teaching materials and consultancy support. Every local authority has been allocated a share of an additional £30 million, over the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years, to support their school improvement work. Calderdale's share of this was £138,600.
	Additional funding is also available from the Department's interventions budget, to support failing and underperforming schools. Calderdale local authority was allocated £170,000 from the interventions budget in 2003-04, £184,500 in 2004-05 and £75,000 in 2005-06. This funding included support for the North Halifax Federation, including £67,000 for a school that was in special measures to support its transition to closure and successful merger with another school.

Schools: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to support school sport in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex.

Jim Knight: As part of the national School Sport Strategy, all schools in Eastbourne are part of the Hailsham School Sport Partnership (a family of schools which work together to increase participation in PE and school sport). The partnership has received over £1 million in the past three years to support its work in raising participation levels, linking schools to local sports clubs, and increasing the number of pupils involved in sports volunteering. It has seen the percentage of pupils participating in at least two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week rise from 80 per cent. in 2003 to 92 per cent. in 2006.
	A further two School Sport Partnerships cover the rest of the schools in East Sussex. The total investment in these three partnerships has been over £3 million since 2003/04. The partnerships also benefit from extra funding for: Competition Managers in the area—raising the quality and quantity of school competition; a Community Sports Coach—bringing a sports specialist into schools; and school swimming—helping weak swimmers become more confident in the water before they finish primary school.

Schools: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex provide fruit for their pupils each day.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	There are 149 schools in East Sussex, including 16 schools in Eastbourne, that participate in the school fruit and vegetable scheme.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the  (a) risks and  (b) consequences of doing nothing to the curriculum as part of the review of the secondary curriculum.

Jim Knight: If we do nothing to the secondary curriculum schools will not have the flexibility and space for stretching students and helping those who have fallen below the expected level in English and mathematics. We risk therefore being unable to increase the number of students who reach the age of 14 at a level which enables them to take full advantage of the increased choices we are making available in the 14-19 phase. The consequence of that will be that some young people become disengaged from learning and unable to meet their aspirations. Those young people are more likely to drop out of education and training post 16 and are less likely to succeed in later life.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1025W, on secondary education: curriculum, whether the supporting materials produced to accompany the secondary curriculum review are intended to accompany the revised National Curriculum as non-statutory guidance; whether the supporting materials will be sent to schools; and on what legal basis these materials will be sent to schools.

Jim Knight: Supporting materials produced to accompany the secondary curriculum review are intended as guidance only and therefore non-statutory. They will available to schools via the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1025W, on secondary education: curriculum, when the Director of Curriculum at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority visited South Africa; and how much the visit cost.

Jim Knight: The Director of Curriculum was in South Africa from 16 February to 21 February 2007. The event was paid for by the Western Cape Education Department.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1025W, on secondary education: curriculum, how many consultation documents have been  (a) requested and  (b) provided by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority in (i) printed format and (ii) other formats.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has so far received three requests to provide consultation documents in printed format. These have been provided. No requests have been received to provide the consultation documents in other formats.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1025W, on secondary education: curriculum, what steps the Qualifications Curriculum Authority has taken to ensure that parents respond to the secondary curriculum review.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has a number of regional events planned with parents and students. It will use these to encourage parents to respond to the consultation on the secondary curriculum review. The widespread media coverage generated by the consultation launch, will mean that many parents are already aware that the consultation is taking place.

Sure Start Programme

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many grants were awarded to organisations for the purpose of meeting the capital costs of acquiring property for proposed new Sure Start centres; and what the value was of those grants.

Beverley Hughes: The General Sure Start Grant (GSSG) provided local authorities with a total of £813 million capital for the period 2006-08. The funding can be used for the developing of Sure Start children's centres, including acquiring, refurbishing, or building new property. The Department does not collect specific data on capital spent acquiring property for the purpose of developing children's centres.

Sure Start Programme

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are  (a) in place and  (b) planned to recover Sure Start grants from organisations that have failed to open child care centres as planned; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Local authorities are responsible for how they use funding allocated to them through the General Sure Start Grant (GSSG) for the delivery of children's services. They have the freedom to use this funding to develop a range of provision including creating Sure Start Children's Centres, supporting the local child care market and developing extended schools services, in line with Government guidance. This will often involve using the local private, community or voluntary organisations to provide these services. If these organisations fail to deliver these services as planned, it is the responsibility of local authorities to recover this funding.
	LAs have been asked to notify and consult with DfES about any proposal to sell or otherwise dispose of, or change the use of, buildings or other tangible assets which have been paid or partly paid for by a DfES capital grant. Notification should be at least three months before any planned disposal is intended to take place, where the market value exceeds £2,500.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Register

Damian Green: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what guidance the Electoral Commission has given returning officers on removing from the Electoral Register those not entitled to vote; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the guidance manuals it issued to electoral registration officers in England, Scotland and Wales in 2005 and 2006 included advice on eligibility for remaining on the electoral register. In July 2006, the Commission issued a circular to electoral registration officers on the extension by the Electoral Administration Act 2006 of the scope of their duties in relation to maintaining the electoral register, including removing those who are not eligible to be on it. I have arranged for a copy of this circular to be placed in the Library. The Commission has also provided further advice on this issue at its training and briefing seminars to support electoral administrators at the May 2007 elections.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Absent Voting

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have applied for a postal vote in each Northern Ireland constituency for the forthcoming election to the Assembly; and how many applied for such a facility in  (a) the last general election and  (b) previous Assembly election.

David Hanson: The following table gives the breakdown by constituency of how many people have been issued with postal ballot papers. Figures for the number of postal ballot papers applied for are not available.
	
		
			  Postal ballot papers issued 
			  Constituency  NI Assembly election 2003  Westminster parliamentary election 2005  NI Assembly election 2007( 1) 
			 Belfast East 446 584 426 
			 Belfast North 503 570 445 
			 Belfast South 502 681 441 
			 Belfast West 446 743 811 
			 East Antrim 397 622 429 
			 East Londonderry 1,288 1,647 988 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 3,600 4,559 3,375 
			 Foyle 1,091 2,515 1,308 
			 Lagan Valley 798 1,087 784 
			 Mid Ulster 2,174 2,891 2,183 
			 Newry and Armagh 1,416 1,873 1,226 
			 North Antrim 893 1,444 971 
			 North Down 496 727 393 
			 South Antrim 480 711 524 
			 South Down 1,462 2,041 1,318 
			 Strangford 632 861 540 
			 Upper Bann 1,015 1,162 803 
			 West Tyrone 2,330 2,962 2,345 
			 Total 19,969 27,680 19,310 
			 (1) Does not include postal votes issued after the application deadline of 27 February 2007 due to unforeseen illness.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the account taken of costs of determining whether to seek to obtain an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) in Northern Ireland; and what representations he has received from public authorities on this matter since the introduction of ASBOs in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: It is entirely the decision of the relevant authorities whether or not to apply for an antisocial behaviour order and this includes considering any issue relating to the cost. Any cost associated with seeking an antisocial behaviour order must be set against the cost of allowing the antisocial behaviour to continue unchallenged.
	The NIO has no record of any representations from public authorities on this matter other than in response to the public consultation on the antisocial behaviour order proposals in 2004.

Colorectal Cancer: Screening

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects bowel screening to be available in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: My Department is working with the health service to enhance the capacity of the symptomatic service, with the aim of introducing bowel cancer screening in 2009.
	Before a full programme can be implemented in Northern Ireland, detailed planning is required in order that the introduction of bowel screening does not adversely impact on services for those patients with symptomatic disease. In addition, infrastructure development and capacity building is required so that the necessary resources, people and skills are in place to ensure a quality service. My Department is currently working with the relevant health professionals to address these issues and thereby enhance the capacity of the symptomatic service.

Demonstrations: Londonderry

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what notification was given by the organisers of the parade that took place in Londonderry on Sunday 28 January 2007 to commemorate the events that took place there in January 1972.

Paul Goggins: An 11/1 Notification form was submitted to Strand Road PSNI station on 22 November 2006.

Departmental Equipment

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rayleigh,  Official Report, column 1276W, on departmental equipment, whether the computers stolen from his Department held information about the names and addresses of government employees and other Crown servants in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the security implications of the thefts.

Paul Goggins: Names and addresses were not held on any of the departmental computers that were stolen in the past nine years. While all these losses were regrettable, I am satisfied that the security of individuals or the Department has not been compromised.

Departments: Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what strategy he has put in place for  (a) the use of renewable energy and  (b) meeting energy targets in his Department's buildings; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Government Departments in Northern Ireland have been purchasing electricity from renewable sources since 2001. This approach is being continued in the general requirement for Departments to source at least 10 per cent. of their electricity requirements from renewable sources by March 2008.
	To encourage the installation of renewable energy technologies by Government Departments, some £6.5 million has been made available in 2006-07 and 2007-08 under the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund which was launched a year ago.
	Beyond this period, this work will be carried forward under the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy which requires the Government estate to be carbon neutral by 2015. From 31 March 2007 all Departments and district councils will be under a statutory duty to act in the way best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Northern Ireland.
	With regard to targets, Departments (and other public bodies) have been made aware of the objectives contained in the Government White Paper published in 2003 entitled "Our Energy Future—Creating a Low Carbon Economy", and repeated in the 2006 Climate Change Programme, "Tomorrow's Climate, Today's Challenge". All Departments are required to monitor their energy use and provide annual returns of energy consumption and cost in respect of all buildings which they occupy.

Educational Psychology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many whole-time equivalent educational psychologists are employed by each education and library board in the Province.

Maria Eagle: The education and library boards employ the following numbers of whole-time equivalent educational psychologists:
	
		
			  Education and library board  Number 
			 Belfast 26.64 
			 North Eastern 21.98 
			 Western 24.60 
			 Southern 28.98 
			 South Eastern 25.90

Educational Psychology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils are being seen by educational psychologists in each education and library board area.

Maria Eagle: Within the education and library boards educational psychologists are currently seeing the following numbers of pupils,
	
		
			  Education and library board  Number 
			 Belfast 8,450 
			 North Eastern 7,354 
			 Western 10,379 
			 Southern 7,200 
			 South Eastern 7,470

Electoral Register

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are registered to vote in each Northern Ireland constituency for the forthcoming election to the Assembly; and how many were registered for  (a) the last general election and  (b) previous Assembly election.

David Hanson: The following table gives the breakdown by constituency of how many people are or were eligible to vote at the 2003 Assembly election, the 2005 parliamentary election and the 2007 Assembly election. The 2007 Assembly election figure is lower than the total possible electorate (i.e. total number registered to vote) because it does not include those who are registered but who are not eligible to vote at this election (such as those who have not turned 18). The 2005 parliamentary figure includes those whose names were 'carried forward' from the previous register.
	
		
			  Eligible electorate 
			  Constituency  NI Assembly election 2003  Westminster parliamentary election 2005  NI Assembly election 2007 
			 Belfast East 51,937 52,899 49,757 
			 Belfast North 51,353 52,535 49,372 
			 Belfast South 50,707 52,218 48,923 
			 Belfast West 50,861 53,536 50,792 
			 East Antrim 55,473 57,966 56,666 
			 East Londonderry 56,203 58,461 56,104 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 64,336 66,415 65,826 
			 Foyle 65,303 68,758 64,889 
			 Lagan Valley 67,910 70,238 70,101 
			 Mid Ulster 60,095 62,088 61,223 
			 Newry and Armagh 68,731 71,771 70,823 
			 North Antrim 70,489 73,938 72,814 
			 North Down 57,422 59,358 57,525 
			 South Antrim 63,640 66,580 65,654 
			 South Down 70,149 73,175 71,704 
			 Strangford 66,308 68,570 66,648 
			 Upper Bann 68,814 71,645 70,716 
			 West Tyrone 57,795 59,842 58,367 
			 Total 1,097,526 1,139,993 1,107,904

Health Services

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role the proposed Community Commissioning Associations (CCAs) will have in the new health structures; how membership of CCAs will be determined; and what consultation has been undertaken on this proposal.

Paul Goggins: The Review of Public Administration (RPA) provides for local commissioning arrangements to be developed at a level below local commissioning groups.
	To give effect to that ministerial commitment my officials have been consulting with relevant stakeholders regarding who best to secure the involvement of clinicians and others in local integrated primary case-based commissioning. Uniquely in Northern Ireland, this will embrace social care as well as health services. The intention is to place responsibility for the commissioning of safe, effective and responsive services with local physicians and other health and social care professionals. Active engagement with service users and carers will also be a key feature of the new arrangements. The aim is to secure improved services which are more sensitive to the needs of individuals.
	Final decisions regarding the way forward have, however, yet to be taken.

Hospitals: Parking

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1719W, on hospitals: parking, what percentage of revenue raised from parking charges is available to health trusts to spend on frontline services; and what criteria are used when determining how such resources are spent.

Paul Goggins: Where a health and social services trust charges for car parking at a hospital under an income generation scheme, all of the revenue raised is available for use as decided by the trust to enhance and improve patient care. Such resources are therefore spent alongside that raised through the normal commissioning process and the trust will decide to which medical specialty they should be allocated.

Hospitals: Parking

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1719, on hospitals: parking charges, for what reason the private finance initiative operator at the Royal Group of Hospitals is unable to report income from car parking charges.

Paul Goggins: The private finance operator of the car park at the Royal Group of hospitals, car park services, bears all the costs of operating the car park and accrues all profits in return. The amount of revenue raised is therefore not included in the financial records of the Royal Group of hospitals HSS trust. The trust has written to the operator requesting information on revenue raised. I will write to the hon. Lady as soon as the information has been received and place a copy in the Library.

Junior Doctors: Working Hours

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to limit the working hours of junior doctors in the Province; and what restrictions there are on the maximum periods of time for which junior doctors can work without a break.

Paul Goggins: In 1991 my Department introduced a package of measures known as the New Deal designed to reduce junior doctor's hours. In addition, the European Working Time Directive, introduced in 2004, set further limits on hours of work.
	My Department has established an advisory group to assist Health and Social Services employers in improving their compliance with the hours of work and rest requirements for junior doctors. The European Working Time Directive sets out a number of different rules on rest requirements for junior doctors including for example a maximum period of six hours work after which a minimum rest period of 20 minutes should be provided.

Knockbracken Health Care Park: Mental Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to reduce the number of acute mental health in-patient beds at Knockbracken Health Care Park.

Paul Goggins: The Eastern Health and Social Services Board is finalising plans to restructure acute mental health beds in the Eastern Board area, which includes Knockbracken Healthcare Park. These plans will be subject to full public consultation.

Knockbracken Health Care Park: Mental Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation with  (a) patients,  (b) carers and  (c) health professionals has been conducted into proposals to reduce the number of acute mental health in-patient beds at Knockbracken Health Care Park.

Paul Goggins: The Eastern Health and Social Services Board conducted an audit of acute psychiatric in-patient care in 2003-04. Users and carers were involved throughout. In addition, the board sponsored users and carers travelling to England to examine alternative services to in-patient care.

Macular Degeneration

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision is available in the Province for treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration; and whether pegaptanib sodium injections may be used within the NHS in Northern Ireland for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration.

Paul Goggins: Specialised treatments are available for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, including photodynamic therapy, which is provided by ophthalmologists at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast.
	It is for health and social services boards, as commissioners of services, to prioritise how funding is used, taking into account local circumstances, the strategic objectives established for the HPSS and demands and pressures generally for access to a wide range of new effective drug therapies. None of the boards currently funds the use of pegaptanib sodium injections.
	In determining the priorities for funding, we would expect boards to take account of the available evidence of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of any treatment. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pegaptanib, and the Institute's final guidance is expected in October 2007.

Macular Degeneration

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety provides funding to treat wet age-related macular degeneration sufferers with a licensed anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, when such treatment is recommended by an ophthalmologist, from now until the publication of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines later in 2007.

Paul Goggins: The Department has allocated an additional £24 million to health and social services boards in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for specialist hospital drugs. It is for the health and social services boards, as commissioners of services, to prioritise how funding is used, taking into account local circumstances, the strategic objectives established for the HPSS and demands and pressures generally for access to a wide range of new effective drug therapies.
	In determining their priorities for funding, we would expect boards to take account of the available evidence of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of any treatment. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is currently assessing the clinical and cost effectiveness of pegaptanib and ranibizumab, and the Institute's final guidance is expected in September 2007.

Macular Degeneration

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans are in place to treat those with wet age-related macular degeneration in Northern Ireland with new treatments which have recently become available.

Paul Goggins: It is for the health and social services boards to plan and commission services for the people in their areas. Specialised treatments are available for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, including photodynamic therapy, which is provided by ophthalmologists at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast.
	Two treatments for wet AMD, pegaptanib and ranibizumab, are currently being appraised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Institute is expected to publish its guidance in September 2007. When the appraisal guidance is published, the Department will consider the applicability of the NICE guidance to the health and personal social services.

Mental Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to restructure acute mental health beds within the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area.

Paul Goggins: The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability recommended that acute in-patient services should be provided as part of an integrated model of crisis services with locally accessible units, utilising where possible the facilities of general hospitals. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board is in the process of finalising plans to restructure acute mental health beds in the Eastern Board area. These plans will be subject to full public consultation.

NHS: Negligence

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many clinical negligence cases are pending in each health trust in the Province; how many negligence cases have been made against each health trust in the Province in each of the last 10 years; how many were upheld; and what the total estimated cost incurred as a result of clinical negligence in the Province was in each of the last 10 years, broken down by health trust.

Paul Goggins: Information for the last five years (from 2001-02 to 2005-06) has already been placed in the Library. Information is not available prior to 2001-02 and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	The information regarding the total estimated cost incurred as a result of clinical negligence in the Province in each of the last 10 years broken down by health trust, is not currently held centrally in that format and will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available and place a copy in the Library.

NHS: Negligence

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the funding required to cover clinical negligence costs in the Province in 2007-08.

Paul Goggins: £11 million.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Catholicism

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the 30 per cent. target for Roman Catholic representation in the Police Service of Northern Ireland envisaged under the Patten recommendations to be achieved.

Paul Goggins: Annex B of the St. Andrews Agreement makes it clear that the 50:50 provisions will lapse when the target for Catholic officers has been achieved. The Government's target is to increase Catholic representation in the PSNI regulars to 30 per cent. by 2010-11.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Manpower

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers are serving in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, broken down by ethnic origin.

Paul Goggins: I am advised that as at 1 February 2007 there are 7,557 regular officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Their ethnic background can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 White 7,326 
			 Pakistani 1 
			 Black Caribbean 1 
			 Black Other 1 
			 Chinese 5 
			 Indian 1 
			 Mixed Ethnic 5 
			 Other 9 
			 Not stated 208 
		
	
	The PSNI have a number of positive outreach campaigns aimed at recruiting people from ethnic minorities, including the translation of advertisement and literature into four different languages.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Manpower

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) police officers and  (b) civilian staff working for the Police Service of Northern Ireland are wholly employed on work connected with inquiries established by (i) the Government and (ii) the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: Crime Support Department has a number of staff wholly employed undertaking work related to public inquiries set up by Government.
	The number of PSNI officers and civilian staff in these areas are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Police officers 4 
			 Civilian staff 60.5 
		
	
	The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland does not establish inquiries. However, PSNI's Historic Enquiries Team is conducting investigations into issues raised by the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in their recent Operation Ballast report. No HET staff are wholly employed on work relating to investigations carried out by the police ombudsman.

Respite Care

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase respite care provision in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: In 2007-08 the Government will invest an additional £11.5 million in community care services designed to help vulnerable people to live independent lives. Respite care is an important and integral component of these services and I expect to see substantial improvements in terms of access and quality.

Thalidomide

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to assist thalidomide victims in the Province.

Paul Goggins: There is no specific Programme of Care for thalidomide victims. Anyone leaving acute care as a result of thalidomide is treated under the Physical Disability Programme of Care in their respective boards and trusts.

Tomography

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in each health trust area received  (a) an ultrasound scan,  (b) an X-ray and  (c) a CT scan in each of the last five years; and how many patients are waiting to have (i) an ultrasound scan, (ii) an X-ray and (iii) a CT scan performed in each health trust in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The number of patients in each health trust area who received  (a) an ultrasound scan,  (b) an X-ray scan and  (c) a CT scan in each of the last five years are detailed in the following tables.
	
		
			  (a) Ultrasound scans 
			   Financial year 
			  HSS Trust  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Altnagelvin 9,618 10,751 10,948 11,486 12,301 
			 Belfast City 14,158 14,747 15,935 16,624 17,046 
			 Causeway 4,274 4,699 4,944 5,288 4,996 
			 Craigavon (1)14,120 (1)14,371 (1)11,566 13,530 15,621 
			 Down Lisburn 6,814 6,394 7,319 7,763 8,903 
			 Greenpark 2,972 3,004 3,085 3,122 3,137 
			 Mater 2,589 3,451 4,308 4,965 5,222 
			 Newry and Mourne 5,228 5,614 5,668 5,892 5,638 
			 Royal 14,026 15,804 16,760 16,814 18,455 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 20,177 18,954 19,284 18,145 19,557 
			 United 23,665 23,421 23,313 26,487 27,295 
			 UCHT 11,194 11,688 11,774 11,843 12,382 
			 (1) South Tyrone hospital started to use the CRIS system in June 2004. The NIRADS system was used prior to June 2004. Therefore, the data detailed above for 2004-05 are not a full financial year and the data for years 2001-02 to 2003-04 do not include South Tyrone or Armagh community hospitals.  Source:  HPSS Trusts 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) X-rays 
			   Financial year 
			  HSS Trust  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Altnagelvin 72,439 73,921 76,659 78,754 82,080 
			 Belfast City 82,853 80,591 81,848 79,945 84,523 
			 Causeway 37,915 38,728 38,025 39,352 41,240 
			 Craigavon (1)73,715 (1)75,651 (1)77,513 100,229 108,892 
			 Down Lisburn 41,811 42,261 43,000 41,847 44,985 
			 Greenpark 32,770 33,041 32,437 31,165 35,533 
			 Mater 38,630 38,009 39,345 37,635 38,022 
			 Newry and Mourne 36,194 34,034 34,098 33,332 35,223 
			 Royal 133,422 128,283 147,565 146,293 151,066 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 49,664 50,224 53,354 52,517 53,621 
			 United 124,266 129,885 133,650 129,929 137,971 
			 UCHT 86,377 86,641 87,826 90,950 96,234 
			 (1) South Tyrone hospital started to use the CRIS system in June 2004. The NIRADS system was used prior to June 2004. Therefore, the data detailed above for 2004-05 are not a full financial year and the data shown for the years 2001-02 to 2003-04 do not include South Tyrone or Armagh community hospitals.  Source:  HPSS Trusts 
		
	
	
		
			  (c) CT scans 
			   Financial year 
			  HSS Trust  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Altnagelvin 4,409 4,391 4,723 4,732 5,149 
			 Belfast City 10,053 11,815 11,283 12,066 12,580 
			 Causeway 2,450 2,547 2,890 3,067 2,724 
			 Craigavon (1)7,666 (1)7,614 (1)8,332 11,058 12,794 
			 Down Lisburn 2,299 2,228 2,474 2,547 3,076 
			 Greenpark 0 0 0 143 854 
			 Mater 2,593 2,702 2,838 3,168 3,187 
			 Newry and Mourne 1,247 2,383 2,365 2,837 3,395 
			 Royal 9,961 11,282 11,461 12,378 13,687 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 4,579 4,290 4,444 5,574 6,539 
			 United 3,396 7,412 7,451 9,149 10,359 
			 UCHT 4,402 4,682 5,365 5,783 6,097 
			 (1) South Tyrone hospital started to use the CRIS system in June 2004. The NIRADS system was used prior to June 2004. Therefore, the data detailed above for 2004-05 are not a full financial year and the data shown for the years 2001-02 to 2003-04 do not include South Tyrone.  Source:  HPSS Trusts 
		
	
	The number of patients who are waiting to have (i) an ultrasound scan, (ii) an X-ray and (iii) a CT scan performed in each health trust in the Province are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			   Diagnostic test 
			  HSS Trust  (i) Ultrasound  (ii) X-ray  (iii) CT scan 
			 Altnagelvin 1,164 200 402 
			 Belfast City 1,382 0 1,089 
			 Causeway 1,041 155 319 
			 Craigavon 1,725 206 810 
			 Down Lisburn 718 168 77 
			 Greenpark 123 0 30 
			 Mater 470 21 484 
			 Newry and Mourne 881 180 229 
			 Royal 963 7 601 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 747 42 52 
			 United 1,999 274 809 
			 UCHT 1,126 0 330 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are correct as at 26 January 2007.  2. The information supplied by the HPSS Trusts has not been validated by the Department.  Source:  HPSS Trusts

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Equipment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007, question 111865, what differences there are between the Tempest and Mastiff vehicles, with regard to  (a) normal operations in theatre and  (b) mine protection; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Mastiff has been procured to meet the requirement for a medium protected patrol vehicle. It will be used to transport conventional forces who will conduct patrolling tasks and other duties as military commanders see fit. It has been optimised for this role through a series of modifications, which include additional protection measures and self defence equipment.
	The Tempest Mine Protected Vehicle has been configured for use by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams for specialist tasks such as EOD reconnaissance, rescue and recovery and route proving; they have some UK specific EOD modifications.
	I am withholding details about specific levels of protection as the information would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.

Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will increase the number of  (a) fixed wing and  (b) rotary heavy lift aircraft deployed to Afghanistan.

Des Browne: We currently assess that there are sufficient air assets in Afghanistan for Commanders to do the jobs they need to do.
	I announced a substantial force package uplift on 26 February which included, among other things, the deployment of four Sea King helicopters and an additional C-130 Hercules which will significantly improve our lift capabilities in Afghanistan.

Armed Forces: Medical Records

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what systems are in place to catalogue and account for medical records of British service personnel;
	(2)  how many British service personnel's medical records are missing.

Derek Twigg: A complete medical record is maintained for every member of the armed forces. This facilitates where necessary any ongoing medical treatment and supervision wherever the individual is serving, and provides an audit trail of responsibility for those engaged in the care and treatment of patients.
	The custody and security of medical and dental documents of all personnel is the responsibility of the senior Medical Officer (MO) or (for the Navy) the Medical Branch Rating (MBR) of the establishment or ship in which the individual is serving. To prevent breaches of medical confidentiality, accidental or otherwise, all medical records are kept secure at all times. They are not kept in the possession of any person other than the MO or medical staff in the course of their duties. When not in use all such documents, notes, correspondence and external media used to store medical data are kept in a locked container.
	Quarterly musters of all medical records held are carried out in all primary care units against unit nominal lists, and more frequently when required (e.g. when a unit is formed or deployed). During musters, medical records are scrutinized by physically inspecting the main service medical record known as "F Med 4" form which are a series of documents which record an individual's medical history. These are cross-checked against other records to ensure that personnel remain in-date; records are accurate; and no treatments or appointments are outstanding. Scrutiny of medical records is carried out on receipt of a new "F Med 4" and on notice of drafting or deployment.
	When an individual is receiving secondary-care treatment in an NHS hospital, any medical notes are the responsibility of the NHS Trust where the treatment is taking place. When an individual is discharged from hospital, the hospital discharge report is enclosed in the "F Med 4", along with other clinical reports such as Laboratory, Physiotherapy and X-ray. The same procedures apply for documentation from MOD Regional Rehabilitation Units, Departments of Community Mental Health and other directly managed units such as the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court.
	There is currently no centrally available source of information regarding the number of missing medical records, and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information could be obtained only by requesting every military medical centre in the UK and overseas to provide details of records not held at their last quarterly medical records muster.

Armed Forces: Orthopaedics

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have suffered amputations as a result of wounds received on active service in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: The Complex Rehabilitation and Amputee Unit (CRAU) at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), at Headley Court in Surrey, has since 1 June 2006 (the date on which it became fully operational) treated a total of 42 service amputees. Of these, 14 were casualties from Op. Telic (Iraq) and six from Op. Herrick (Afghanistan).
	Prior to CRAU becoming operational, comprehensive information on the number of military personnel who have suffered amputations as a result of wounds received on active service was not held centrally. To provide this information would require the examination of the individual medical records of each patient who has been classified as very seriously injured (VSI) or seriously injured (SI) in Iraq and Afghanistan. These records can only be viewed for non-clinical reasons with the express consent of each individual concerned, to protect patient confidentiality.

Army: Afghanistan

Peter Tapsell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers serving with the British Army in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan have passed an oral examination in the Pashto language.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 5 March 2007
	All regular and reserve service personnel deploying on operations receive some level of language training, ranging from a few hours to a ten week course. Selected individuals receive longer periods of training.
	There are currently 25 members of the British Army who have passed a speaking exam in Pashto. Of these, 16 are Army officers, one of whom is currently deployed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

Astute Class Submarines

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he has had with representatives of BAE Systems on the finalisation of a price for Astute boats two and three.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 March 2007
	There have been no meetings regarding the finalisation of prices for Astute boats 2 and 3 between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and representatives of BAE Systems.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the workforce at the Atomic Weapons Establishment is expected to retire in the next five years.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 March 2007
	The Ministry of Defence does not hold such details about the workforce at the Atomic Weapons Establishment which is managed under Government Owned/Contractor Operated arrangements. However, the AWE contractor has advised that approximately 12 per cent. of the current workforce will reach retirement age before March 2012.

Atomic Weapons Establishment: Finance

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much each of the armed services is contributing to the planned additional spending at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in each of the next five years.

Des Browne: As the White Paper, "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent", published in December 2006, made clear, the investment required to maintain our deterrent will not come at the expense of the conventional capabilities our armed forces need. The additional investment at the Atomic Weapons Establishment averaging £350 million per annum over the years 2005-06 to 2007-08 was included in the Defence Budget through the 2004 Spending Review process. The Defence Budget for future years will be set in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Bombs

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has made to destroy the stockpiles of cluster munition shells 155mm HE M483 in the second half of 2007, as stated in March 2006.

Adam Ingram: The disposal of the 155mm HE M483 began in late 2004 and is continuing. A contract was let under the NATO Maintenance Supply Agency in conjunction with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and awarded to an Italian company, Esplodenti Sabino. Under current plans, the final disposal will be completed in autumn 2007.

Bombs: Operation Allied Force

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the RBL755 cluster bombs dropped during Operation Allied Force were dropped in  (a) Kosovo,  (b) Serbia,  (c) Montenegro and  (d) Albania.

Adam Ingram: Of the 531 RBL755 cluster munitions dropped during Operation Allied Force, 32 were dropped on Serbia and the remainder on Kosovo. No RBL755 were dropped on Montenegro or Albania.

Defence: Procurement

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision has been made to replace assets lost as a result of  (a) damage and destruction during operations and  (b) reduced service life due to increased use.

Adam Ingram: We do not make financial provision in anticipation of damage to or destruction of equipment during operations. Where possible, damaged equipment is restored, drawing on funding from the Treasury Reserve as appropriate. Equipment which has been destroyed may also be replaced through a call on the Reserve, though in some cases we may choose to restore the capability rather than seek a like-for-like replacement.
	We continue to monitor whether the current high operational tempo is likely to result in a reduced service life for some equipment, and will take appropriate resource allocation decisions if this proves to be the case.

Departments: PFI

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for which future projects his Department is considering a private finance initiative deal; what the estimated lifetime value of each potential contract is; and what period each will cover.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is considering using the private finance initiative for the following projects which are at preferred bidder status:
	
		
			  Project name  Estimated contract length (years) 
			 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) 27 
			 Future Provision of Marine Services (FPMS) 15 
			 Corsham Development Project (CDP) 25 
			 Defence Training Rationalisation (DTR) 30 
		
	
	I am withholding details of the estimated lifetime value of each potential contract. The information would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of the Department as these projects are still subject to continuing negotiations with their preferred bidder.
	The Department is also considering the use of the private finance initiative for a joint project with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Search and Rescue Helicopter project. The estimated capital value of this project is £400 million with an estimated contract length of 25 years.

Departments: Work Permits

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many work permits were applied for by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: The number of work permits applied for by the Department and its agencies in each of the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

EH101 Helicopters

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original order was for Merlin Mark 1 helicopters; and how many were subsequently brought into service.

Adam Ingram: 44 Merlin Mk1 helicopters were ordered and all were subsequently brought into service.

HMS Grimsby

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what he expects the total cost of repairs to HMS Grimsby to be; what her current status is; when he expects her to become operational; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 7 March 2007
	It is not possible to identify separately the repair costs for HMS Grimsby as these have been combined with upkeep costs as part of her Ships Support Period Contract. The combined value, however, of both the repair and upkeep work for the vessel is some £3.7 million. The work is progressing well and HMS Grimsby is on schedule to return to operational service in February 2008.

Identification Friend Foe Systems

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which  (a) RAF and  (b) Army Air Corps aircraft and helicopters have been fitted with the Successor Identification Friend or Foe System; and what plans he has to fit systems to those which have not.

Adam Ingram: The following RAF and Army Air Corps aircraft and helicopters have been, or are being fitted, with the Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF) system transponder:
	TriStarK/KCMkl
	TriStar C Mk 2/2a
	VClOCMklK
	VC10KMk3
	VC10KMk4
	BAe 125, BAe 146
	Nirnrod R Mk 1
	Islander AL Mk 1
	Islander CC Mk 2
	Islander CC Mk 2a
	Hercules C130K
	Sentry E-3D
	Dominie T Mkl
	Hawk, Tornado GR4
	Harrier GR9, Harrier T12
	Tornado F3 (also fitted with interrogator)
	Chinook Mk 2/2a
	Gazelle
	Puma
	Lynx Mk 7
	Lynx Mk 9.

Military Aid: Colombia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department had with the Colombian Defence Minister during his recent visit on  (a) UK and  (b) EU support for Plan Colombia, part II; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Both I and the Minister of State for the Armed Forces in separate meetings discussed the current security situation in Colombia, progress on human rights within the Colombian armed forces, and UK-Colombia security co-operation with Minister Santos during his recent visit. The EU support for Plan Colombia, part II, was not raised.

Naval Bases: Ambulance Services

John McFall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what mechanisms ambulance cover is provided at  (a) HM Naval Base Clyde and  (b) HM Naval Base Raleigh.

Adam Ingram: Ambulance cover at both HMNB Clyde and HMS Raleigh is provided by the relevant local ambulance service (the Scottish Ambulance Service and the South Western Ambulance Service respectively). At both bases this cover is augmented by local on-site ambulances.

Naval Bases: Ambulance Services

John McFall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change ambulance cover at HM Naval Base Raleigh.

Adam Ingram: There are no plans to change ambulance cover at HMS Raleigh.

Nuclear Submarines

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the additional costs are of  (a) maintaining and protecting continuous at sea deterrence and  (b) keeping a submarine-based nuclear force without continuous at sea deterrence.

Des Browne: As paragraphs 5-7 and 5-8 of the White Paper: 'The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent' (Cm 6994) make clear, our policy is to maintain continuous at sea deterrent patrolling to ensure our deterrent remains fully credible. There would, theoretically, be a number of alternative postures to continuous patrolling but we do not regard them as providing credible deterrence. However, for a given size of fleet, the cost difference between maintaining continuous deterrent patrolling and not doing so would potentially be relatively minor since the costs directly associated with operating the submarine on patrol are a very small proportion of the overall costs of maintaining, supporting and operating the deterrent. Total expenditure on the capital and running costs of the Trident nuclear deterrent, including the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, in 2006-07 is expected to be around £1,500 million.

Nuclear Weapons

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will delay a decision to replace Trident to allow time for a more thorough strategic analysis of the issues and for a wider public debate.

Des Browne: The White Paper concerns decisions on the replacement of the submarine delivery platform not the Trident missiles or warheads.
	The White Paper set out fully why we believe it is necessary for the UK to retain a minimum independent nuclear deterrent, and why decisions are needed now if we are to maintain deterrent capability at the end of the lives of the Vanguard class submarines. I also covered these issues in detail in my evidence to the Defence Committee on 6 February.
	In setting out the Government's position on 4 December 2006,  Official Report, columns 21-24, the Prime Minister also set out a timetable for a process of public and parliamentary debate. As part of this process, my ministerial colleagues and I have been discussing the future deterrent in a wide range of forums. For example, there has been a full debate in the House of Lords, and I have given a speech at King's College, London; provided the Defence Committee with wide-ranging evidence; taken part in a televised debate with CND; and discussed the future deterrent with a panel of experts at RUSI. On 14 March, at the conclusion of this process, there will be a full debate and vote in the House of Commons. This has given plenty of opportunity for all to consider and debate the issues.

Nuclear Weapons

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the replacement of Trident on the nuclear weapons proliferation regime.

Des Browne: The Government are strongly committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The White Paper on the Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent published on 4 December 2006 (Cm 6994) makes clear that renewing our minimum nuclear deterrent capability is fully consistent with all our international obligations, including those under the NPT.

Nuclear Weapons

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average annual in-service cost of the UK's nuclear deterrent, including the Atomic Weapons Establishment, was in each year from 1998 to 2005, calculated using the method applied to calculate the in-service costs quoted in paragraph 5 to14 of the White Paper on the Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent.

Des Browne: As set out in paragraph 5 to 14 of the White Paper on the 'Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent' (Cm 6994), we estimate that the in-service costs of the UK's nuclear deterrent will be around 5 to 6 per cent. of the defence budget once the proposed fleet of replacement SSBNs comes into service. This calcution is based on initial whole life estimates of in-service and disposal costs for the deterrent capability and the estimated costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, averaged over the currently expected life of the new submarines and compared to the current defence budget. Taking similar costs for the current system, from 1998 to 2005, and comparing them to the actual defence budgets for those years, the average annual in-service cost was around 4 per cent. of the defence budget. The cost of the deterrent in 2006-07, including the cost of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, is expected to be around £1,500 million, or just over five per cent of the current defence budget.

Nuclear Weapons

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were adopted in deciding the number of  (a) warheads,  (b) missiles and  (c) submarine launch platforms required to provide for a minimum nuclear deterrent.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of today publishing the Ministry of Defence's initial response to the Defence Select Committee's report on the White Paper. "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6994, published December 2006).

Nuclear Weapons

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors were taken into account in identifying the United Kingdom's vital national interests in the White Paper on the future of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent Cm 6994.

Des Browne: As stated in paragraph 3-4 of the White Paper "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6994, published December 2006),
	"Our focus is on preventing nuclear attack. The UK's nuclear weapons are not designed for use during military conflict but instead to deter and prevent nuclear blackmail and acts of aggression against our vital interests that cannot be countered by other means."
	It is a key part of our deterrence posture that we retain ambiguity about precisely when, how and at what scale we could contemplate use of our nuclear deterrent. We would only consider using nuclear weapons in self-defence—including the defence of our NATO allies—and even then only in extreme circumstances. That has been and will remain our policy.

Submarines: Repairs and Maintenance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policies are in place to ensure the maintenance of the manufacturing and skills base of the UK's submarine industry.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 March 2007
	As stated in the Defence Industrial Strategy, it is government policy to retain the UK submarine manufacturing and skills base for the foreseeable future as it will be essential to the maintenance of the UK's independent nuclear deterrent. Key to that is the establishment of a design and build programme which balances sustainability requirements with military need and affordability. MOD is working closely with industry to agree such a programme, together with other issues such as collaboration and rationalisation to ensure a viable enterprise well into the future. The Government response to the House of Commons Defence Committee's report "The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the Manufacturing and Skills Base" (HC 59 dated 19 December 2006) provides further information on this issue.

Trident: Legal Opinion

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has requested the legal services of his Department to provide him with an assessment of whether any decision to replace  (a) the Trident launch platform,  (b) Trident missiles or  (c) Trident nuclear warheads with new components would be compatible with the United Kingdom's legal obligations under Articles 1 and 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by hon. Friend, the Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells), the Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Alan Simpson) on 6 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 1843-4W. The Government set out its position on the international law position in paragraphs 2-9 and 2-10 of the White Paper "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6994, published December 2006).

Urgent Operational Requirements

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2007,  Official Report, column 963W, on urgent operational requirements, what records are kept of formal requests made by lower echelon commanders which have been submitted to theatre commanders for consideration as urgent statements of user requirement requests;
	(2) , what records are kept of urgent statements of user requirements generated by commanders-in-theatre approved by the chain of command;
	(3)  at what stage an urgent operational order is considered formally to have formally come into being; and by whose decision.

Adam Ingram: Requests by lower echelon commanders are staffed through the in-theatre chain of command, with both the unit and the brigade in theatre keeping relevant records.
	In the Land environment, if the requirement is for a new item of equipment or for more equipment, where insufficient stocks are held on the inventory for the current operations, the request is forwarded to the Divisional Equipment Capability (EC) Cell for further staffing. The Divisional EC Cell constructs an Urgent Statement of User Requirement (USUR) in consultation with the originator to ensure that the exact requirement is captured and submits it to the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ). Records of the USURs are held in the EC Cells in the appropriate theatre.
	Royal Navy and Royal Air Force requirements are staffed up the appropriate chain of command, with USURs then submitted to PJHQ in a similar way.
	If PJHQ endorses the requirement, the USUR is passed to MOD Centre for action. Records of endorsed USURs are held in PJHQ and MOD Centre.
	Once endorsed by PJHQ, the USUR is considered to have become an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR), allocated a unique number and tracked on a central UOR database.

Warships: Deployment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy warships of frigate destroyer size and above are deployed on operations; and what the maximum numbers deployed were in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 7 March 2007
	The number of warships on operations varies considerably within and between years. The number of warships of frigate/destroyer size and above currently deployed on operations is eight. Data on all past ship deployments are not held centrally.

Warships: Decommissioning

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels were paid off in the last six months; and which Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels he expects to be paid off in the next six months.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 7 March 2007
	No RFA vessels were paid off in the six months to 1 March 2007. Future plans for the structure of the RFA have yet to be finalised.

Written Questions

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that all written questions on British nuclear weapons tabled for answer on or before 12 March will be answered with a substantive response before 14 March.

Des Browne: holding answer 9 March 2007
	We will endeavour to answer every question asked on British nuclear weapons prior to the debate on 14 March. Questions tabled on or after 12 March, however, may not appear in the  Official Report before the debate.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

British Library

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people used the facilities of the British Library in 2005-06.

David Lammy: The British Library Funding Agreement includes a set of metrics—a number of which are based on use of services—against which they report. For 2005-06 their outturns against these metrics were as follows:
	
		
			  Metric  2005-06 outturn 
			 Number of visits to reading rooms 462,207 
			 Number of items supplied/consulted remotely and on-site 5,877,321 
			 Number of children attending educational sessions + Number of visitors to Library's 'learning' website 302,367 
			 Number of visitors to the Library's on-site and virtual exhibitions 865,813 
			 Number of searches of Library's on-line catalogue 24,626,166

Olympic Games: Civil Servants

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department are employed on London 2012-related matters; and how many have private sector experience.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 5 March 2007
	Within my Department there are at present 49 full-time equivalent staff spending the majority of their time employed on London 2012-related matters.
	In addition, there are a further eight full-time equivalent staff in the Olympic Programme Support Unit, which provides cross-programme support for the Olympic Board and is based, for administrative purposes, within my Department.
	Of these 57 full-time equivalent staff, 10 contract and seconded staff, and other full-time equivalent staff, have been recruited specifically for their experience of procurement, project management, finance and infrastructure transactions, all gained partly or wholly in the private sector. Other full-time equivalent staff also have experience of working in and with the private sector but specific records on levels of experience are not available.

Football: Tickets

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions her Department has had with the footballing authorities on ticket pricing.

Richard Caborn: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I has held discussions with the football authorities on ticket pricing.
	The Government have no role in the commercial and sporting operation of professional football. The issue of ticket prices is a matter between the individual clubs and the relevant football authorities.

Institute for Public Policy Research

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding the Countryside Agency has provided to the IPPR or IPPR Trading Ltd. in each year since May 1997; and what the purpose was of such funding.

Barry Gardiner: I have been asked to reply.
	When it was still part of The Countryside Agency(1), the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) agreed some sponsorship funding for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North towards its "A New Rural Agenda" project. The Countryside Agency's sponsorship funding was for a total of £25,000 over two years:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2005-06 12,500 
			 2006-07 12,500 
		
	
	The purpose of this funding was:
	(a) to encourage some fresh thinking about rural issues and policies;
	(b) to provide the CRC with opportunities to engage in the debate this project was expected to generate;
	(c) to open up opportunities for read-across with CRC work; and
	(d) to learn more about the working methods of think tanks which could be of use to the CRC.
	(1 )The Countryside Agency is now part of Natural England.

National Lottery: Grants

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much and what proportion of lottery money was provided to  (a) sports and  (b) other community projects in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: The sports good cause has received 16.66 per cent. of operator-related national lottery good cause income in each year since 1998. The total amount of lottery money raised for the sports good cause in the last five years is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Total lottery income to the sports good cause 
			   £ million( 1) 
			 2001-02 302 
			 2002-03 258 
			 2003-04 227 
			 2004-05 240 
			 2005-06 244 
			 Total 1,271 
			 (1) Figures rounded to nearest £ million. 
		
	
	The other good causes combined have received 83.33 per cent. of operator-related national lottery good cause income in each year since 1998. The total amount of lottery money raised for the other good causes in the last five years are set out in the table.
	
		
			  Total lottery income to other good causes 
			   £ million( 1) 
			 2001-02 1,515 
			 2002-03 1,332 
			 2003-04 1,163 
			 2004-05 1,231 
			 2005-06 1,248 
			 Total 6,489 
			 (1) Figures rounded to nearest £ million.

National Lottery: Grants

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the amount of lottery money that will be provided to  (a) the Olympics,  (b) sports and  (c) other community projects in each of the next five years.

Richard Caborn: It was always understood when we bid that national lottery funding for London 2012 would involve some loss of income to the non-Olympic good causes. Non-Olympic distributors may lose an average of 5 per cent. of their income because of sales diversion to Olympic lottery games over the period 2005-06 to 2012-13. In addition, we have already announced that £410 million will be taken from non-Olympic lottery proceeds between 2009 and 2012. No decision has been made about how that amount will be shared between the various non-Olympic good causes nor on the further use of lottery funding to meet any of the £900 million in additional costs that have been announced. It is therefore not possible to provide the estimates requested.

New Opportunities Fund: Sports

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value of  (a) awards and  (b) payments made from the New Opportunities Fund for physical education and sport has been in the 2006-07 financial year; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The figures in the table reflect the total value of awards and payments made from the New Opportunities Fund for the financial year 2006-07. The financial year has not ended so the figures provided are YTD figures.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Awards made  Payments made 
			 New Opportunities for PE and Sport (NOPES) 19,397,449 187,760,665 
			 Community Sport 9,099,153 23,925,051 
			 School Sports Co-ordinators 10,643,835 10,090,561 
			 Totals 39,140,437 221,776,277 
		
	
	These figures do not include Awards for All and other grants that have funded sport indirectly.

Olympic Delivery Authority

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed in each division of the Olympic Delivery Authority; and how many have over five years' relevant experience in the private sector.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 5 March 2007
	The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has supplied me with the following breakdown of the divisional deployment of the 117 staff they currently employ, as detailed in the following table:
	
		
			  Division  Number of staff 
			 Chief Executive's Office 2 
			 Chairman's Office 1 
			 Construction 3 
			 Design and Regeneration 16 
			 Development Control 7 
			 Finance 9 
			 Health and Safety 2 
			 Human Resources 6 
			 Infrastructure and Utilities 5 
			 IT 2 
			 Legal 10 
			 Programme Assurance Office 1 
			 Communications 12 
			 Procurement 5 
			 Property 5 
			 Risk and Audit 1 
			 Security 3 
			 Transport 27 
		
	
	In order to build a work force capable of demonstrating the world-class business performance the ODA needs to help deliver the London 2012 Games, the ODA continually seeks to fill skills gaps utilizing the best of private and public sector expertise available. Detailed information on the level of experience of the 117 individual staff members currently employed could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. However, the ODA's executive team (chief executive and directors) has spent approximately 55 per cent. of their total employment years in the private sector.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the cost of providing Olympic standard shooting ranges at Woolwich.

Richard Caborn: The cost of providing Olympic standard shooting ranges at the Royal Artillery Barracks (RAB), Woolwich, is contained within the $32 million cost of works identified in the Candidate File, at 2004 prices. Work is now under way to outline the full scope of the works needed at the RAB site, including detailed feasibility work.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library minutes of all meetings of the Budget and Revenues Sub-Groups set up to consider the advice provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers on Olympic costs in 2004.

Tessa Jowell: The remit of the Budget and Revenue Sub-Group (February 2004 to July 2004) was to look at the costs, revenues and strategic issues affecting the proposed Olympic budget prior to the bid. The notes of the meetings of the sub-group contain information which is directly relevant to current commercial negotiations which could be prejudiced by its release.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the opening Olympic and Paralympic ceremony is expected to cost.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wantage (Mr. Vaizey) on 28 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1405W.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the London Development Agency has spent on  (a) acquiring and  (b) mediating land on the Olympic Park; and what estimate she has made of the likely value of that land after the Games are over.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 9 March 2007
	The London Development Agency (LDA) expects to spend around £700 million on land acquisition and £220 million on land remediation in the Olympic Park. The LDA are currently working to determine the land value post games.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants and funding facilities Lancashire will be able to apply for in connection with the 2012 Olympics.

Richard Caborn: Both UK Sport and Sports England award Lottery grants, and distribute funding provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in line with their own policies and priorities for the development of sport.
	£40 million is available for the Community Club Development Programme in 2006-08 and a proportion of the £35 million allocated to the National Sports Foundation will also be spent on facilities. In addition, we expect that local authorities will be investing around £1 billion in sports services (facilities and development) over the next three years.
	There are no grants or funding available for facilities specifically in connection with the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, including for the purpose of facilities being selected as a pre-Games training camp. It is assumed that projects which have a clear long term rationale will continue to be considered on the basis of existing strategic priorities and funding criteria, but any potential usage for training and preparation camps should be regarded as added value, rather than a core element of the case for funding.
	The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced that it will make around £9 million available to overseas Olympic and Paralympic teams to use pre-Games training camps in the UK to prepare for the 2012 Games. This scheme will enable all 203 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the 161 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to apply for credit of up to £26,000 towards the cost of preparing their athletes at UK designated pre-Games training camps.

Police: Costs

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the  (a) one-off and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Criminal Justice and Police Bill—Police Powers to close Disorderly Licensed Premises to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Shaun Woodward: There is no current Criminal Justice and Police Bill going through Parliament which includes measures to close disorderly licensed premises. However, powers in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 relating to the closure of licensed premises on the grounds of disorder were replaced and extended by powers in the Licensing Act 2003. We have no current estimate of the actual cost of using these powers. Their deterrent value, along with the use of voluntary closures and other strategies to prevent crime and disorder, mean such powers are used minimally.

Princess of Wales: Monuments

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by  (a) her Department and  (b) public bodies for which she is responsible on (i) security, (ii) cleaning, (iii) repair, (iv) refurbishment and (v) other costs in relation to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in each of the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Royal Parks Agency (TRP) has responsibility for maintaining the Diana Memorial Fountain. In the 12 months up to the end of January 2007 TRP spent a total of £86,579 on security and cleaning and £111,449 on maintenance and other costs.
	The cost per visitor in the period was 28 pence.

Regeneration: Finance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of her Department's spending was devoted to  (a) urban and  (b) rural regeneration and redevelopment in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05 and (iii) 2005-06.

David Lammy: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sport Action Zones

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sport action zones were planned in 1999-2000; how many were created in each year since then; how many are still operating; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: A total of 30 sport action zones were originally planned in two phases with the first 12 pilots being approved in 1999 and established in 2000-01. Funding for sport action zones ceased in 2006, but much of the work of the zones is continuing through Sport England's Community Investment Fund (CIF) and the Community Sports Networks.

Sport Action Zones

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the original budget was for sport action zones (SAZ) when they were announced in 1999-2000 for each of the 10 planned years of investment; how much was spent on SAZs in each year to date; how much her Department plans to spend on SAZs in each of the next four financial years; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: In 2000 Sport England announced a package of £750 million investment over 10 years in community sport which included funding for 12 designated sport action zones. The figure for the total spent in each year is not available, but core funding for each zone totalled £350,000 over the five years of planned investment. A further £1.998 million magnet funding was also awarded to the scheme. Any future investment in sport action zones has been mainstreamed through Sport England's Community Investment Fund (CIF).

Sports: Obesity

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to tackle obesity through sport.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 5 February 2007
	My Department is promoting sport for people of all ages and backgrounds, both as something enjoyable and worthwhile in itself and, where appropriate, as something that has a vital role to play in tackling obesity.
	As part of my Department's ongoing work to halt the year-on-year rise in obesity for the under-11s by 2010, we have been working closely with our target-holding partners, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills, on how best to tackle this serious public health problem.
	The National School Sport Strategy, jointly implemented by DCMS and DfES, is a key component of a multi-faceted, 'whole school' programme of addressing obesity. The 2005/06 school sport survey found that overall 80 per cent. of pupils participate in at least two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week. This exceeded the target of 75 per cent. for 2006 and demonstrates a considerable increase from the estimated 25 per cent. in 2002. This target will rise to 85 per cent. by 2008. By 2010 the ambition is to offer all children at least four hours of sport a week.
	Furthermore, we are working with school sports partnerships to increase participation in physical activity by overweight and obese children.
	In addition, we have a PSA target to increase by 3 per cent. between 2005 and 2008 the number of adults and young people aged 16 and above from priority groups (in this context defined as those with a physical or mental disability, black or minority ethnic groups, those from socioeconomic groups C2, D and E, and women) who participate in active sports at least 12 times a year and engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity level sport at least three times a week.
	Regional Sports Boards in partnership with Community Sports Networks are responsible for delivering the target in each of the Government regions. Sport England is also a key partner in our delivery chain for obesity with successful action dependent on good regional co-ordination and close working with primary care trusts and local authorities to increase participation.
	We have now invested over £1 billion in 4,000 new or refurbished sports facilities in order to help deliver this target and we are working to ensure that the 2012 Olympic Games creates a lasting legacy of increased participation in sport and physical activity.

Sports: Training

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of  (a) sports and  (b) sports coaches whose organisational bodies do not qualify for access to the UK's coaching certificate because they do not have a recognised national governing body; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: UK coaching certificate (UKCC) qualifications are currently being implemented in 21 sports.
	In each of these sports, the qualifications are developed by national source groups, led by the appropriate recognised British or home country governing body and including representatives from other recognised home country governing bodies.
	We are considering the expansion of UKCC beyond the initial identified sports but we do not currently envisage funding the development of UKCC qualifications in the small number of sports without a recognised national governing body.
	Access to UKCC qualifications is not dependent on membership of a specified governing body. When a UKCC qualification in a particular sport is endorsed, it does not prevent organisations from continuing to offer their existing coaching qualifications nor are coaches legally required to take the UKCC qualification in order to continue coaching.

Swimming Pools: South East Region

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in respect of which outdoor lidos in the South East Government Office area renaissance investment has been provided; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Heritage lottery fund has supported the restoration of a number of lidos across the UK but none of these are sited within the SE GO area.
	All requests for lottery funding, including applications to regenerate outdoor lidos, will be considered on merit and in line with the set criteria for funding.

Television: Violence

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to reduce the impact of violence on television on children.

Shaun Woodward: Parliament has charged the independent broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, with maintaining standards to protect children from harmful material. Ofcom's Broadcasting Code includes specific requirements to protect people under 18. Within this framework, it is the broadcasters' job to make judgments about what individual programmes should contain and when they are broadcast.
	Ofcom also have a statutory duty to promote media literacy so people can access and critically assess a wide range of media. It also helps them understand and operate technology in a way which enables them to maximise the benefits, and minimise the potential harms of the electronic media.

Tourism: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourists visited Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The tables show the number of visits to Lancashire and the North West from (i) UK residents (with an overnight stay) and (ii) overseas residents.
	
		
			  Domestic overnight trips( 1) 
			  Million 
			   Lancashire  North West 
			 2001(2) — 13.7 
			 2002 5.1 14.5 
			 2003 4.2 16.0 
			 2004 3.3 12.9 
			 2005 3.8 15.3 
			 (1) The methodology for the UKTS changed in 2005 meaning that comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution. This change occurred as a result of concerns with the quality of 2004 data, which are thought to be an under-representation of the true position. (2) For 2001, Lancashire data are not readily available.  Source: UK Tourism Survey (National Tourist Boards) 
		
	
	
		
			  Inbound visits 
			  Million 
			   Lancashire  North West 
			 2001 0.2 1.4 
			 2002 0.2 1.5 
			 2003 0.2 1.8 
			 2004 0.2 1.8 
			 2005 0.3 2.3 
			  Source: International Passenger Survey (ONS) 
		
	
	In addition, account should be taken of the number of day visits made to, or within, the North West (Lancashire not available). The Leisure Day Visits Survey in 2002-03 recorded a total of over 100 million tourism day visits to destinations in the North West. It is not possible to provide a time series for this information as the surveys are run intermittently.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Royal Lancashire Society

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been granted by the North West Development Agency to the Royal Lancashire Society; and for what purpose.

Margaret Hodge: Regional development agencies were given the strategic lead for tourism in the regions and responsibility for ensuring that appropriate delivery structures were in place in April 2003. Delivery responsibility was devolved to regional tourist boards which were funded by regional development agencies.
	The North West Development Agency (NWDA) has not given any direct funding to the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. However, the NWDA did provide £1,255,000 to the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) for the year 2006-07. From this, the tourist board granted £3,000 towards the staging of the 2006 Royal Lancashire show, on the grounds that the show would serve to raise the profile of the LBTB and the Lancashire rural tourism initiative. The NWDA''s strategy for tourism in England's north-west identifies the show as one of a number of events of national and international significance that take place across the region. The show has also been identified for support in the Lancashire and Blackpool visitor economy strategy 2006 - 2016, because of its potential for further development of the visitor economy.
	Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board has delegated authority to invest in those projects which it believes will raise its profile. The Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society agreed to publicise Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board by promoting their logo and mentioning the tourist board in press releases.
	In addition, an undergraduate has been placed with the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society for nine months (until July 2007) to assist with the marketing of the 2007 show. This post is being jointly funded through the Lancashire rural tourism initiative, which is also supported by the NWDA, and Lancashire County Developments Limited.

Bankruptcy: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many local businesses in Lancashire went bankrupt in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Regional insolvency statistics are only available on the basis of the locations of official receivers' offices, each of which covers a group of county courts where the cases are heard and the courts having jurisdiction over these. It is not possible to provide precise statistics by administrative geographies such as counties, constituencies or Government Office regions. The following table provides figures for self-employed bankruptcies and company compulsory liquidations dealt with by courts having insolvency jurisdiction and located within Lancashire(1). These statistics are considered to be closest to those requested, however they should not be treated as entirely reliable estimates for the county of Lancashire.
	(1) Courts with insolvency jurisdiction within Lancashire are Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Lancaster, Preston and Tameside.
	
		
			   Bankruptcy orders for self employed individuals  Company compulsory liquidations 
			 2002 336 166 
			 2003 292 105 
			 2004 295 76 
			 2005 460 87 
			 2006 (1, 2)278 151 
			 (1) Figures for bankruptcies in 2006 are currently only available up to Q3 2006 because the Breakdown by trading status is published one quarter in arrears of the total headline statistics. (2) January to September.

British Telecom: Billing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that Ofcom investigates British Telecom's decision to introduce a penalty charge for customers who do not pay by direct debit.

Margaret Hodge: I have raised the matter with the chief executive officer of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Ofcom is considering whether any of the suite of changes BT has recently made raise any regulatory issues.
	For a number of years, BT has applied a price differential between customers who pay their accounts by direct debit and those who pay by other means. This reflects the higher processing and debt management costs associated with payments not made by direct debit. Such differentials are common practice among communications providers and utility service providers.
	From 1 May 2007 BT is changing how it presents this differential from a discount for those customers paying by direct debit to a charge for those paying by other means. BT has combined this change with an increase of £6 a year in the charge (from £12 to £18). But the increased charge will not apply to special tariff schemes for vulnerable customers provided under the Universal Service Obligation.

British Telecom: Billing

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on BT's decision to impose a charge on customers who do not pay their bills by direct debit; and what subsequent action he has taken.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 9 March 2007
	I have received representations from a number of hon. Members on behalf of constituents and have raised the matter with the chief executive officer of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Ofcom is considering whether any of the suite of changes BT has recently made raise any regulatory issues.
	For a number of years, BT has applied a price differential between customers who pay their accounts by direct debit and those who pay by other means. This reflects the increased processing and debt management costs associated with payments not made by direct debit. Such differentials are common practice among communications providers and utility service providers.
	From 1 May 2007 BT is changing how it presents this differential from a discount for those customers paying by direct debit to a charge for those paying by other means. BT has combined this change with an increase of £6 a year in the charge (from £12 to £18). But the increased charge will not apply to special tariff schemes for vulnerable customers provided under the Universal Service Obligation.

Construction

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to tackle payment abuse in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The DTI is developing detailed proposals to amend the adjudication and payment provisions in Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. I intend to publish a consultation paper on the proposals to follow up our previous joint consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government on 'Improving payment practices in the construction industry'.

Defence Equipment: Indonesia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the level of Indonesia's debt to the Export Credits Guarantee Department is for guarantees issued for  (a) goods in the defence sector as a whole and  (b) Hawk aircraft.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 7 March 2007
	At the end of February 2007 unrecovered claims under Indonesia's debt rescheduling agreement with the Export Credits Guarantee Department stood at £757 million, of which approximately 75 per cent. is defence-related. Hawk aircraft account for approximately 60 per cent. of the defence-related figure.

Departmental Opinion Polls

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what opinion polls of  (a) his Department and  (b) the public his Department has commissioned in the last two years; and what the (i) cost and (ii) purpose was of each poll.

Alistair Darling: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The Department commissions an annual survey of DTI staff, at an external cost of around £20,000 a year. It also conducts some smaller and one-off surveys as part of its internal communications with a minimal external cost.
	 (b) The Department does not centrally collect the information sought and to provide it would entail disproportionate cost. Details and costs of DTI surveys, some of which ask respondents to give opinions, are available from the website at www.dtistats.net/surveyactivity.

Departmental Recruitment

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost was of advertising positions in his Department in each year since 1997.

Alistair Darling: When running recruitment campaigns we use the advertising media most likely to attract people with the necessary skills. Across the civil service a range of media are used—from local newspaper, specialist magazines and the internet, to the public sector sections of national newspapers. Individual management units generally meet recruitment costs from their own delegated budgets and there are no centrally held records.

BAE Systems

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many current security passes to enter his Department's premises have been issued to employees of BAE Systems; and if he will list the BAE Systems employees who hold such passes.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No current photographic security passes have been issued to employees of BAE Systems to enter the Department's premises.

Pendle

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what expenditure is planned to be carried out in Pendle by his Department in the years up to 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has no expenditure planned in Pendle in the years up to 2010. However, DTI is the sponsor department for the North West Development Agency (NWDA); and the NWDA plans to spend the following on projects in Pendle in the years up to 2010:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2006-07 4.9 
			 2007-08 6.7 
			 2008-09 2.9 
			 2009-10 1.2 
		
	
	In addition, expenditure on regional programmes, such as the Business Link Service, will also benefit Pendle.
	In terms of service provision, it is not possible to determine the exact levels of funding for regional programmes, as the take-up of services in Pendle in the years up to 2010 cannot be forecast.

Digital Broadcasting

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the impact on the Programming Making and Special Events sector of the Digital Dividend Review; which industry representatives have been consulted by Ofcom during the review; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The matters raised are the responsibility of the Regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Digital Broadcasting

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the likely impact of the Digital Dividend Review on the newsgathering operations of UK broadcasters.

Margaret Hodge: Management of the radio spectrum in the UK is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the independent communications regulator. Matters concerning the Digital Dividend Review should be addressed directly to Ofcom.

Energy

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the Energy White Paper.

Alistair Darling: holding answer 22 February 2007
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to my written statement of 22 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 63-64WS.

Fruit: Prices

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to revise his Department's national pricing code of practice to include soft fruit and vegetables.

Ian McCartney: No such steps are necessary. The Code of Practice for Traders on Price Indications approved under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 applies to all types of goods, including soft fruit and vegetables; as well as to services, accommodation and facilities.

IPPR

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding regional development agencies have provided via the Northern Way to  (a) the IPPR and  (b) IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since its creation; and for what purpose.

Margaret Hodge: I am informed by the regional development agencies that they have made no payments to IPPR or IPPR Trading Ltd with Northern Way Growth Funding, but they are currently discussing a possible contract with them.

Overseas Trade

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the primary  (a) imports and  (b) exports are between the United Kingdom and (i) Montserrat, (ii) the Cayman Islands, (iii) the Turks and Caicos Islands, (iv) Gibraltar, (v) Tristan da Cunha, (vi) Madagascar, (vii) Bermuda, (viii) New Zealand, (ix) Australia and (x) St. Helena.

Ian McCartney: Information on the UK's primary products traded with the aforementioned countries is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Exports/imports  £000 
			  Top UK exports to Montserrat  
			 Beverages 106 
			 Electrical machinery and apparatus and parts 89 
			 Manufactures of metal nes.(1) 77 
			 Iron and steel 75 
			 Machinery specialized for particular industries 50 
			 Total UK exports to Montserrat 664 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Montserrat  
			 Professional scientific and controlling ins. and parts 71 
			 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 28 
			 Office machines. and ADP equipment 3 
			 Live animals other than animals of Division 03 0 
			 Meat and meat preparations 0 
			 Total UK imports from Montserrat 121 
			   
			  Top UK exports to Cayman Islands  
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 3,453 
			 Road vehicles 3,130 
			 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 2,016 
			 Non-metallic mineral manufactures nes.(1) 1,085 
			 Beverages 562 
			 Total UK exports to Cayman Islands 14,662 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Cayman Islands  
			 Other transport equipment (excl. road vehicles) 29,627 
			 Photographic and optical goods, nes.(1) watches and clocks 597 
			 Meat and meat preparations 277 
			 Office machines.1 and ADP equipment 151 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 95 
			 Total UK imports from Cayman Islands 31,226 
			   
			  Top UK exports to Turks and Caicos Islands  
			 Road vehicles 569 
			 Beverages 373 
			 General industrial machinery and parts 229 
			 Essential oils and perfume materials; toilet preps. etc. 211 
			 Manufactures of metal nes.(1) 192 
			 Total UK exports to Turks and Caicos Islands 2,241 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Turks and Caicos Islands  
			 Organic chemicals 65 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 18 
			 Non-metallic mineral manufactures nes.(1) 5 
			 Live animals other than animals of Division 03 0 
			 Meat and meat preparations 0 
			 Total UK imports from Turks and Caicos Islands 100 
			   
			  Top UK Exports to Gibraltar  
			 Other transport equipment (excl. road vehicles) 93,295 
			 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 46,642 
			 Miscellaneous edible products and preparations 26,721 
			 Road vehicles 17,459 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 8,752 
			 Total UK exports to Gibraltar 254,586 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Gibraltar  
			 Road vehicles 18,109 
			 Furniture and parts thereof; bedding, mattresses etc. 4,272 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 1,994 
			 Power generating machinery and equipment 971 
			 Machinery specialized for particular industries 814 
			 Total UK imports from Gibraltar 30,045 
			   
			  Top UK exports to Madagascar  
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 535 
			 Manufactures of metal nes.(1) 523 
			 Power generating machinery and equipment 418 
			 Machinery specialized for particular industries 344 
			 Beverages 333 
			 Total UK exports to Madagascar 4,223 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Madagascar  
			 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 22,658 
			 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and Aq. inverts and preps. 1,363 
			 Crude fertilizers and crude minerals (exc. fuels etc.) 789 
			 Sugar, sugar preparations and honey 197 
			 Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof 189 
			 Total UK imports from Madagascar 25,771 
			   
			  Top UK exports to Bermuda  
			 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 1,919 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 1,879 
			 Manufactures of metal nes.(1) 1,538 
			 Electrical machinery and apparatus and parts 1,488 
			 Beverages 1,347 
			 Total UK exports to Bermuda 19,580 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Bermuda  
			 Other transport equipment (excl. road vehicles) 63,920 
			 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 4,870 
			 Vegetables and fruit 2,598 
			 Office machines and ADP equipment 492 
			 Electrical machinery and apparatus and parts 484 
			 Total UK imports from Bermuda 73,687 
			   
			  Top UK exports to New Zealand  
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 43,922 
			 Road vehicles 41,718 
			 Power generating machinery and equipment 37,028 
			 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 32,655 
			 Machinery specialized for particular industries 23,460 
			 Total UK exports to New Zealand 364,334 
			   
			  Top UK imports from New Zealand  
			 Meat and meat preparations 229,276 
			 Beverages 80,260 
			 Vegetables and fruit 56,807 
			 Textile fibres not manufactured and their waste etc. 30,238 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 26,124 
			 Total UK imports from New Zealand 610,229 
			   
			  Top UK exports to Australia  
			 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 440,157 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 314,697 
			 Road vehicles 186,669 
			 Machinery specialized for particular industries 139,227 
			 Power generating machinery and equipment 132,142 
			 Total UK exports to Australia 2,420,322 
			   
			  Top UK imports from Australia  
			 Beverages 446,965 
			 Coal, coke and briquettes 296,463 
			 Non-metallic mineral manufactures nes.(1) 241,428 
			 Non-ferrous metals 228,947 
			 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 129,223 
			 Total UK imports from Australia 2,141,266 
			   
			  Top UK exports to St. Helena( 2)  
			 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 1,131 
			 Road vehicles 1,085 
			 Professional scientific and controlling ins. and parts 951 
			 Telecoms and sound recording equipment and apparatus 553 
			 Manufactures of metal nes.(1) 472 
			 Total UK exports to St. Helena 8,946 
			   
			  Top UK imports from St. Helena( 2)  
			 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 307 
			 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes.(1) 241 
			 Professional scientific and controlling ins. and parts 72 
			 General industrial machinery and parts 66 
			 Photographic and optical goods, nes.(1) watches and clocks 52 
			 Total UK imports from St. Helena 972 
			 (1 )Not elsewhere specified in the classification. (2 )Includes trade with Tristan da Cunha.  Source:  Compiled by DTI from H M Revenue and Customs data.

Postal Services: Buses

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the financial expenditure on post bus services was in each of the last five years; how many post buses there were in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the levels of public usage of the service.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. Adam Crozier the chief executive has been asked to reply direct to the hon. Gentleman.

Radio Frequencies: Licensing

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the  (a) one-off and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Margaret Hodge: The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Supermarkets: Codes of Practice

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the  (a) one-off and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Undertakings on Supermarket/Supplier Relations (Code of Practice) to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Ian McCartney: The information is as follows.
	 (a)(i) and (ii) No assessment of the one-off cost of implementing the Undertakings on Supermarket/Supplier Relations (Code of Practice) has been made. However, consultation on the remedies suggested by the Competition Commission in its 2000 monopoly report on the grocery market and subsequent negotiation of the supermarkets code of practice was a significant project for OFT and DTI lasting some 18 months. Considerably more resources were employed on this project than was normal for the creation of monopoly remedies, given the size and importance of the market and the complexity of the issues involved.
	 (b)(i) No assessment of the recurring cost to business of implementing the undertakings has been made.
	 (b)(ii) The undertakings are monitored and enforced by the OFT as part of its function of monitoring, enforcing and reviewing all remedies imposed following Competition Commission inquiries to ensure their continuing effectiveness. The OFT does not keep records or estimates of the costs of monitoring and enforcement of each individual remedy for which it is responsible. However, the supermarkets code and the grocery market generally have accounted for a substantial part of the resources employed in the OFT's work on remedies.

Telephone Services

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the use of 087 and 0845 telephone numbers by businesses; and if he will instruct Ofcom to review the effect of using such numbers on customers.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 22 February 2007
	The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Telephones: Fees and Charges

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers Ofcom has to restrict telephone companies'  (a) prices and  (b) payment charges.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 9 March 2007
	The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House

Telephones: Fees and Charges

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many telephone operators in the UK have a Universal Service Obligation (USO); and what restrictions the USO places on the operator's charging and pricing policy.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 9 March 2007
	Two UK telephone operators have a Universal Service Obligation (USO); BT and Kingston Communications. USO providers are required to put in place special tariff schemes for vulnerable consumers. Affordability is a key criterion for the approval of such schemes by the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom).

Trade Promotion

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which non-EU countries he has set as priorities for Ministers in his Department to visit to promote trade over the next 12 months.

Ian McCartney: Ministers will visit a range of markets for trade promotion purposes over the next 12 months.

Trade Promotion

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries Ministers in his Department plan to visit on trade promotion visits between March 2007 and December 2007; which Ministers will visit each; and on what dates the visits are planned.

Alistair Darling: holding answer 2 March 2007
	Ministers will visit a range of markets for trade promotion purposes over the next 12 months.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1503W, when she expects the UK-Afghanistan Enduring Relationship Action Plan to be published.

Margaret Beckett: The official review of the Joint Declaration of an Enduring Relationship between the UK and Afghanistan was agreed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Karzai during President Karzai's recent visit to the UK (14-15 February). I have placed a copy of the review, in the form of the Enduring Relationship Action Plan, in the Library of the House.

Afghanistan: Criminal Code

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since the April 2002 Geneva conference in establishing a permanent criminal code for Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: An interim criminal code for courts in Afghanistan has been in use since 2004. This interim code was developed with the support of the Italian Government, as Afghanistan's partner nation on criminal justice reform.
	A draft of the permanent criminal procedure code has now been drawn up by the Afghan Government and it is anticipated that it will go before Parliament by mid-2008.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK gives the Government of Afghanistan in identifying areas for possible poppy crop eradication as referred to in the answer to the question tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) of 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 52W, on Afghanistan; and what criteria are used to determine the suitability of areas for eradication efforts.

Kim Howells: The UK helps the Afghan Government co-ordinate eradication to ensure it is targeted in areas with access to alternative legal livelihoods, as set out in the National Drug Control Strategy. Areas identified for eradication are determined by a set of criteria which take into account a wide range of factors. These include: distance to markets, water availability, agricultural diversity, population density, extension of government, access to non-farm income and credit, and activities of development programmes.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support  (a) the Government and  (b) British forces in Afghanistan are providing to opium crop eradication activities in Afghanistan in 2007.

Kim Howells: The main focus of UK support to the Afghan eradication effort is in identifying poppy fields for destruction. We also provide some financial and logistical support. UK military forces deployed under the International Security Assistance Force contribute to the broader counter-narcotics effort by providing the secure environment in which the rule of law can be applied, reconstruction can take place and legal rural livelihoods can be developed. They are not there to take direct action against the drugs trade and do not eradicate.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK has held discussions with the Government of Iran on counter-narcotic issues in Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: Our embassy in Tehran liaises with the Iranian authorities on counter-narcotics issues, including those relating to Afghanistan. We also maintain contacts with the Iranians on counter-narcotics issues in London and Kabul.
	Ministers and officials from the UK and Iran have also attended many multilateral meetings at which Afghan counter-narcotics issues have been discussed, such as the good neighbourly relations declaration ministerial in June 2006.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold of 27 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 1192-3W, on Afghanistan: opium, what reasons were given by the Afghan Government for their decision not to use ground-based spraying on opium poppy crops in 2007; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Afghan Government made their decision not to conduct ground-based spraying this year following wide consultation and internal discussion, but chose not to make their reasons public. The Afghan Government have expressed their determination to tackle opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan through a variety of means, including by carrying out robust manual and mechanical targeted eradication this year, as set out in the national drug control strategy. If this proves ineffective ground-based spraying will be on the list of options for next year.

Bangladesh: Corruption

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the extended detention of 30 politicians and businessmen in Bangladesh on corruption charges.

Kim Howells: We understand that the recent detentions of those suspected of involvement in corruption have been made under the 1974 Special Powers Act, which provides for detention to be extended beyond the initial 30 day limit. While we support the right of the Government of Bangladesh to take legitimate measures against corruption and the abuse of public office, we continue to urge the Government, army and law enforcement agencies to act impartially, with respect for public safety, human rights, media freedoms and the rule of law.

Bosnia: UN

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's position is on the future of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Margaret Beckett: The Peace Implementation Council (PIC), on which the UK sits, reviewed its decision to close the Office of the High Representative (OHR) when it met on 26-27 February.
	While the security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina remains, and is likely to remain, stable, the UK has been concerned at a recent increase in nationalist politics, including in some cases anti-Dayton political rhetoric. Against the backdrop of the completion of the Kosovo Final Status process, the UK will argue at the PIC that closure of the OHR should be delayed beyond June 2007 to ensure the international community's capacity to safeguard progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina and assist its further political development.

China: Censorship

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the decision by the Chinese Government to restrict the number of internet outlets.

Ian McCartney: We are aware of the Chinese Government's announcement that they intend to restrict the number of new internet cafes and bars opening this year. We are concerned by any measures that could further limit freedom of information in China. We raised our concerns about restrictions on access to information at the recent UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 5 February.

China: Censorship

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of people using the internet in China over the last two years; and what her assessment is of the level of restrictions placed on internet users in China.

Ian McCartney: We estimate that there are more than 130 million internet users in China (9 per cent. of all Chinese), an increase of £36 million since 2004. We are concerned by China's continued restrictive regime on access to information, including the blocking of websites and tighter controls on blogs and search engines. We raised our concerns most recently at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 5 February.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Asylum

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Congolese authorities on the removal of failed asylum seekers from the UK to the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Officials from our embassy in Kinshasa and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London have frequent discussions with their Congolese counterparts both in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and London about the removal of failed asylum seekers from the UK. The most recent discussions surrounded the return of 38 Congolese nationals on a charter flight to the DRC on 26 February. These discussions included an assurance from the Congolese Government that returnees would be well treated upon their return and of their continued cooperation for future returns. We also continue to work with the Congolese authorities on encouraging the voluntary return of failed asylum seekers to the DRC.

BAE Systems

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many current security passes to enter her Department's premises have been issued to employees of BAE Systems; and if she will list the BAE Systems employees who hold such passes.

Geoff Hoon: We have four BAE Systems staff members details registered on our pass system. However, to date, one individual only has been issued with a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) pass. This was a contractor pass issued in January 2007 and allows only limited access to and within our buildings.
	We do not provide any personal information relating to individuals who have been issued with FCO passes.

Departments: Travel

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much her Department spent on travel in each year since 1997.

Geoff Hoon: The following amounts were spent on travel in the UK and overseas by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in each of the last nine financial years, rounded to the nearest £100,000.
	
		
			   Amount (£ million) 
			 1997-98 31.0 
			 1998-99 30.6 
			 1999-2000 36.0 
			 2000-01 36.3 
			 2001-02 43.1 
			 2002-03 40.2 
			 2003-04 40.4 
			 2004-05 43.0 
			 2005-06 47.8 
		
	
	For an explanation on why expenditure has increased, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 25 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 1948-49W.

East Timor: Violence

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on recent unrest in Dili; and what action her Department is taking to resolve conflict in East Timor.

Ian McCartney: We are concerned by the deterioration of the security situation in East Timor and the resulting casualties.
	Our Embassy in Jakarta (which covers East Timor), with the assistance of our Honorary Consul in Dili, provides regular reports on developments. We have deployed a team of four officers to Dili, who are assessing the situation on the ground and will ensure that consular arrangements for British nationals are sufficiently rigorous.
	During financial year 2005-06 the Government contributed funding of £295,971 through the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development Global Conflict Prevention Pool to projects with the objective of supporting conflict reduction in East Timor. We continue to contribute to projects supporting the development of a democratic society and human rights training through our Embassy in Jakarta's bilateral programme for East Timor.
	The UK has played a key role in the UN Security Council to ensure a robust UN Mission is in place in East Timor which focuses on areas of potential instability and conflict. We urge all concerned to bring an end to the violence and resolve the problems within the framework of the constitution and laws.

European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government plans to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Kim Howells: On 22 January my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the UK's intention to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. The UK is currently examining how to implement the convention and cannot give a specific date for signature. However, having signalled our intention to sign we are now committed to implementing the convention and putting in place a framework which will provide real protection and support to all victims of trafficking.

India: Pakistan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the inaugural joint panel to combat terrorism between India and Pakistan; and what assessment she has made of  (a) India and  (b) Pakistan's internal efforts to combat religious extremism.

Kim Howells: We welcome the establishment of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism between India and Pakistan and see this as a positive development towards regional security in South Asia. Both sides have expressed their determination to counter terrorism and extremism. Both countries have agreed that specific information will be exchanged to hold investigations related to terrorist acts and to prevent violence and terrorist acts in these countries.
	We also welcome the work that both countries currently undertake to combat religious extremism. We work closely with both the Governments of India and Pakistan to counter the threat from international terrorism and the extremism that fuels terrorism.

International Whaling Commission

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Department has taken to encourage EU countries that are not members of the International Whaling Commission and potential accession states to join the International Whaling Commission.

Margaret Beckett: Since the last meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in June 2006, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia have made representations to host Governments, encouraging them to join the IWC and vote in favour of maintaining the world-wide moratorium on commercial whaling.
	My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe raised the matter with the Foreign Minister of Andorra in October 2006.
	The FCO has distributed copies of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publication 'Protecting Whales - A Global Responsibility' to 57 countries, including all potential EU candidates.
	Croatia and Cyprus have now joined the IWC. Estonia, Greece, Latvia and Romania have committed themselves to joining as soon as domestic legislative procedures allow.

International Whaling Commission

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Minister for Europe has had with the Foreign Ministers of  (a) Montenegro and  (b) Liechtenstein on their countries' possible membership of the International Whaling Commission; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe has had no such discussions.
	Our embassy in Berne raised the subject of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) membership with the Government of Liechtenstein in September 2006. The response was that Liechtenstein's limited administrative capacity made IWC membership unfeasible.
	Our ambassador in Podgorica raised the subject of IWC membership with the Government of Montenegro on 27 February. The Montenegrin Government are considering the matter.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 470-72W, on Iran, what the terms of the flexibility about the modalities for opening negotiations were that Dr. Solana presented on behalf of the E3+3 during the 6th June 2006 and September 2006 discussions with Dr Larijani.

Margaret Beckett: In his contacts with Dr. Larijani in June and September 2006, Dr. Solana explained that in order for negotiations to begin on the proposals of the E3+3 (France, Germany, UK + China, Russia, US), Iran would need to address the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council. These include the Security Council's legally binding requirement that Iran should suspend all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. Dr. Solana explained that if Iran did so, we would be prepared to suspend further action against Iran in the Security Council. He indicated that the E3+3 might be prepared to be flexible about the timing and format of any meetings, if Iran was prepared to comply with its obligations. With our support, Dr. Solana is continuing his efforts to encourage Iran back into negotiations and details of his conversations with Dr. Larijani therefore remain confidential.

Iran: EC Action

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on the imposition of additional EU financial measures against Iran; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: EU Foreign Ministers discussed the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1737 at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 22 January. They agreed that the EU should implement the measures in the Resolution, including the financial measures, robustly and effectively. A common position reflecting their decisions was adopted on 27 February; an accompanying EC regulation is being finalised. As well as freezing the assets of entities listed by the Security Council, the EU will be able to freeze the assets of other individuals and entities who meet the criteria set out by the Security Council, namely individuals and entities engaged in, directly involved with or providing support for Iran's proliferation of sensitive nuclear activities and the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems.

Iran: Hezbollah

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to prevent the flow of funds provided to Hezbollah by Iran.

Margaret Beckett: We remain deeply concerned that Iran continues to finance groups undermining peace in the middle east, including Lebanese Hezbollah. Lebanese Hezbollah's External Security Organisation (ESO) is proscribed in the UK under the Terrorism Act 2000. ESO is also on the list of terrorist organisations subject to an EU-wide assets freeze. We will have no hesitation in taking robust action against any individual or entity in the UK found to be financing ESO or any other proscribed group.

Iraq

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who she plans to attend the expanded neighbours meeting in Baghdad on 10 March on behalf of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: We welcome the plans of the Government of Iraq to hold a number of expanded regional neighbours meetings and look forward to playing our part in making them a success. The UK has consistently called for Iraq's neighbours to support the efforts of the Government of Iraq to deliver security, stability and development for the Iraqi people.
	We were in close touch with the Government of Iraq and other partners about the appropriate level of attendance on 10 March. This meeting was at senior official rather than ministerial level, and may form part of preparation for a later ministerial event, possibly in April. We were represented by our ambassador in Baghdad and a senior official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the implementation of the Baghdad security plan on the security situation in Basra.

Margaret Beckett: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear to the House on 21 February, we welcome the Iraqi-led Baghdad security plan, and recognise the critical importance of security in the capital to the future of the country,  Official Report, columns 262-63. It is too soon to judge the plan's impact, though some of the early indications of the performance of the Iraqi security forces are encouraging. Thus far, we do not believe the plan has had any direct impact on the security situation in Basra, though naturally we are keeping this under close review.

Kosovo

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the security situation in Kosovo; and what assessment she has made of the events there of 11 February 2007.

Margaret Beckett: The United Kingdom offers its sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones following the violent demonstrations in Pristina on 10 February [not 11 February]. We respect and defend the right to peaceful protest. But there is no place in Kosovo, now or in the future, for violence as a means to secure political objectives. Those who resort to or incite violence jeopardise Kosovo's stable future and damage their own cause in the eyes of world opinion.
	The security situation in Kosovo remains calm but tense. We call on the parties to engage constructively during UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari's phase of consultation.

Lebanon

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in establishing a Special Tribunal for Lebanon; when the tribunal is expected to begin its work; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: Following approval by the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative passed the draft text of the statute on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for Lebanon to the Lebanese authorities on 10 November 2006 for their agreement.
	However, on 11 November 2006, Hezbollah and its allies withdrew from the Lebanese Cabinet. Nevertheless, on Saturday 25 November the Cabinet, minus Hezbollah and its allies, went on to approve the draft statute. The statute is now awaiting parliamentary approval; although, in the context of the current Lebanese political impasse it is unclear if and when this will happen. As such, we cannot estimate when the tribunal will begin its work.

Libyan Arab Republic

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether she plans to invite the President of Libya to visit the UK.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no current plans to invite Colonel Qadhafi to visit the UK. However, the UK welcomes the progress that Libya has made since its historic decision to renounce weapons of mass destruction. We are increasing co-operation, including through the exchange of high-level visits that began with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit to Libya in March 2004 and has included a visit to Libya by my right hon. Friend, the Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke), the then Home Secretary in 2006.

Libyan Arab Republic: Exports

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of British exports to Libya was in 2006.

Kim Howells: Total exports from the UK to Libya in 2006 were £203 million.

Malta: Illegal Immigrants

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government are providing to Malta to help tackle illegal immigration from Africa to the island.

Geoff Hoon: The Government are working closely with the Maltese authorities to help tackle illegal immigration. We are doing so both bilaterally and through the EU. Last year we sent a Home Office expert on interviewing and nationality identification to Malta for one month, to form part of the EU Border Management Agency FRONTEX-led mission. We also deployed an expert official on returns from the Special Operations Unit within the Home Office, to look at ways of improving Malta's returns programme.
	At present, we have two joint proposals for funding being considered by the European Commission. The first focuses on a joint charter flight to send failed asylum seekers from the UK and Malta back to their country of origin. The second, a proposal to establish a joint unit of migration intelligence analysts on Lampedusa and Malta, is part of our wider work to disrupt irregular migration flows from East Africa to the EU under the East African Migration Routes Initiative.

Marie Therese Nlandu

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she made to the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the treatment in detention of Marie Therese Nlandu.

Ian McCartney: The Government are closely following the continued detention of Mme Nlandu. Our ambassador in Kinshasa has raised the case of Mme Nlandu on several occasions with Congolese Ministers, the Congolese Interior Minister and President Kabila's advisers. He raised the case with President Kabila himself on 2 February. Embassy officials in Kinshasa have also been present during some of her appearances in court and visited her in prison on 16 February. We will continue to monitor her situation and treatment closely. International partners are doing the same.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she expects to reply to the letter of 15th January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Mr M. G. Atiq.

Margaret Beckett: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 26 February.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Israel on its recent operations in Nablus and the curfew it has imposed on the residents of Nablus.

Kim Howells: We are concerned by the impact of Israel's military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel, like all states, has the right to defend itself against terrorism, which the UK condemns absolutely. However, Israel must ensure that its actions comply with international humanitarian law, and minimise the impact on civilians. Our embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns regarding the impact of the military incursion in Nablus with the Israeli Defence Force on 8 March.

Nepal

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations her Department has made to the Government of Nepal on human rights.

Kim Howells: During my visit to Nepal in September last year, I stressed the need for the Government of Nepal to address the question of impunity which has done so much to undermine public confidence in the state security system. We also continue to work with the EU, other international partners and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to increase awareness of human rights violations in Nepal and urge the Government of Nepal and Maoists to meet their commitments to uphold human rights standards.

Nepal

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of ethnic minority rights in Nepal.

Kim Howells: The question of ethnic minority rights in Nepal has come to the fore recently in the form of disturbances and protests in the Terai region. We have called for all parties in the interim Parliament to acknowledge the rights of ethnic minority groups and have stressed the need for greater inclusion, not only in the political process, but in society as a whole. The comprehensive peace agreement has done much to raise the expectations of a number of disenfranchised groups in Nepal. It is important that the coming interim Government ensure that ethnic minority rights are addressed urgently. Failure to do so risks undermining the peace process as Nepal moves towards elections to a constituent assembly in June.

Nepal

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the level of women's rights in Nepal.

Kim Howells: In April 2006, Nepal had its second 'people's movement' against the autocratic rule of the King. Women played a significant part, coming onto the streets in huge numbers to demand a more inclusive democratic system of government. Their protests did much to ensure that gender equality and justice were placed on the national agenda. This new emphasis on equal rights resulted in the passage of legislation which requires 33 per cent. of women's representation at all levels of the state structure and, for the first time, allowed for the right to citizenship to be passed on through the mother not just the father.
	But the inclusion of women in society remains largely cosmetic. The current Government, due to be replaced by an interim Government in the coming weeks, have only one female Minister. Although the interim Parliament formed in January has an increased number of women, this is largely due to the Maoists who fielded women for 37 per cent. of their 83 seats. Moreover, although the interim constitution notes the inclusion of traditionally marginalised groups such as women, it remains to be seen whether the constituent assembly elections will include the 33 per cent. of women candidates required by legislation.
	Discrimination in Nepal is rooted in culture and religion and while legislation can make it unlawful, it will take a long time to change attitudes and perceptions. A huge cultural shift is required if women in Nepal are to participate in the peace process and play a significant part in the constituent assembly. In addition, structural changes in society are necessary in which poverty and the education of women need to be addressed.
	If Nepal is to continue to move towards a peaceful future, it is vital that the rights of women and other minority groups are addressed. We will continue to work with our international partners and women's groups in Nepal to uphold their rights.
	Through our embassy in Kathmandu, and the office of the Department for International Development, we have pressed high level politicians to include women as an integral part of the peace process. We will continue to encourage and enable meaningful representation and participation of women in all aspects of the peace process. The UK-drafted Security Council on Nepal (UN Security Resolution 1740) contains a specific reference to the need to pay special attention to the rights of women in the development of a democratic new Nepal.

Nepal

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the political situation in Nepal.

Kim Howells: The Nepalese Government and people are to be congratulated on the progress made so far in the peace process. In less than a year, Prime Minister Koirala and the alliance of seven democratic parties has signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement with Maoists, drafted and agreed an interim constitution, formed an interim Parliament including 83 nominated Maoist MPs and secured a UN Security Council Resolution providing for a UN Mission to monitor weapons and combatants and provide technical assistance to the election process.
	However, the process remains fragile and will require commitment from all parties as well as the support of the international community to continue to make progress towards free and fair elections to a constituent assembly in June.
	Peace in Nepal though has raised the expectations of ethnic and other minority groups who have long pressed for greater representation in Parliament. A failure to address these demands has led recently to violent disturbances, particularly in the Terai region where members of the Madhesi community are demanding proportional representation, a federal system of Government and a greater voice in the interim Parliament.
	Elections will be key to sustaining the momentum and giving voice to the marginalised. But there is a fine balance between the political imperative of rushing them through quickly and the risk of their being flawed so that the results carry no legitimacy.
	Another area of concern is the behaviour of the Maoists, who have yet to meet fully their obligations under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Intimidation and extortion remain commonplace. It will be vital for Maoists to take seriously their responsibilities as they come into the interim Government, end abuses, support the rule of law and work to deliver services through the state system rather than parallel systems of their own.
	The UK has played a leading role in supporting the peace process. The long-standing relationship we enjoy with Nepal has allowed us to provide views and guidance which are welcomed. We will continue to work, with the EU and other international partners to help Nepal progress further towards a sustainable and peaceful future.

Nepal

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of human rights in Nepal.

Kim Howells: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in November last year includes extensive human rights provisions. All parties are bound by the CPA to co-operate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Despite this unequivocal language, the Maoists, the Nepal army and the Government have failed to co-operate fully with the OHCHR.
	With Maoist combatants in cantonment sites and Nepal Army soldiers largely confined to barracks, human rights violations have decreased since the ceasefire. However, there are still regular reports of incidents of Maoist intimidation and extortion and the Government of Nepal have yet to establish rule of law throughout all areas of the country.
	We are concerned about the human rights situation in Nepal and in particular reports that a number of human rights defenders, members of civil society and the media regularly face threats and intimidation. We have urged all sides in the peace process to allow human rights organisations to carry out their work free from intimidation and interference.
	We have also pressed the Government of Nepal and Maoists to take urgent steps to tackle impunity. The lack of a credible Government response to the question of impunity risks undermining the peace process and decreases public confidence in the state security system. In the run-up to elections to a constituent assembly, it is vital that the Government and Maoists work hard to create an environment that will enable all political parties to campaign and voters to cast their ballots in a free and fair atmosphere.

Nepal

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the proposals for the scheduled elections in Nepal; and what  (a) discussions she has had with and  (b) information she has received from the UN on the prospects for the elections.

Kim Howells: Elections to the constituent assembly are scheduled for June 2007. Credible, free and fair elections will be key to sustaining the momentum of the current peace process as well as giving a voice to marginalised groups in Nepal. But it is vital that conditions are right for holding the elections. There needs to be proper preparation for the elections including voter education and there needs to be an environment that allows all democratic political parties to campaign freely and people to vote without fear. A flawed election will serve no-one's interests.
	The Election Commission, supported by the UN election team, has made good progress. The registration of voters is almost complete (the overall increase in the voters list is estimated at around 20 per cent.) and almost all the 25 UN Electoral Advisers are now in Nepal. Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Conflict Prevention Pool, we have committed funds directly to the Election Commission to assist in their preparations.
	However, the Election Commissioner has recently declared that he is unable to make progress on preparations for the elections until the necessary legislation has been passed. This requires decisions in the Parliament on the type of voting system necessary and appropriate. At a press conference in New York on 26 February, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ian Martin, said that the Election Commission faced considerable challenges if an election is to take place in June (further information on the press conference can be found on the UN website at:
	http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusnewsnepal.asp?sID=36.
	I discussed the prospects for elections with Ian Martin when we met on 5 March during his visit to London. I reassured him of the UK's support for the peace process in Nepal and our wish to see free and fair elections which should lead to a fully inclusive and democratic constituent assembly.

Nepal

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the living conditions of Maoist rebels in Nepalese rehabilitation cantonments; and what impact she expects the departure of rebels from camps to have on the 2006 ceasefire between rebels and the Nepalese Government.

Kim Howells: Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of November 2006, the Maoists agreed that their People's Liberation Army (PLA) would be confined to seven main cantonment sites, spread across Nepal, while the Nepal army would be confined to barracks. Maoist weapons would be stored in sealed containers, to which they would keep the keys, but the UN would monitor the integrity of the containers and the confinement of combatants to the camps. Maoists moved the PLA and their weapons to the proposed cantonment sites almost immediately and the UN has moved quickly to complete the registration of combatants and storage of weapons.
	The CPA required the Government of Nepal to provide the infrastructure of the camps and to ensure that combatants were given adequate shelter and provisions. However, this process has been slow and, in the early days, international donors provided some assistance (the Department for International Development provided practical support on the provision of water and sanitation for the camps and the Indian Government provided tents to house the PLA and containers to store the weapons).
	Recently, we received reports that a number of former PLA combatants had temporarily left the Shaktikhor cantonment site in Chitwan complaining that the Government of Nepal were failing to provide sufficient food and water to the camps. However, their weapons remained under UN supervision. The question of Maoists leaving cantonment sites was reported to, and discussed by, the Joint Monitoring Co-ordinating Committee, chaired by the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) on 22 February. UNMIN had previously expressed its concern to the Government of Nepal about the living conditions at the cantonment sites and had called on the Government and Maoists to work together to make immediate arrangements to improve these conditions.
	We were concerned at reports that former members of the PLA had left the cantonment site, in a clear breach of the Agreement on Monitoring of Arms and Armies of 8 December 2006. However, it is important to note that weapons storage and monitoring remained in place and that all sides to the agreement worked closely to ensure that combatants returned quickly to the cantonment site following the intervention of the Maoist leadership and a commitment from the Government of Nepal to meet their demands on funding, provisions and camp infrastructure.
	We are confident that this incident will not affect the positive progress of the ongoing peace process in Nepal.

North Korea: Nuclear Weapons

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect suspension of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear activity she expects to have on British interests in  (a) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and  (b) the Republic of Korea.

Ian McCartney: We welcome the 13 February Agreement and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's commitment to suspend nuclear activities. This is an essential first step towards the goal of full denuclearisation in North Korea and towards ensuring stability in the Korean Peninsula, which is clearly in UK interests.

Pakistan: Blasphemy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received of blasphemy trials taking place in Pakistan.

Kim Howells: We follow closely the subject of blasphemy trials in Pakistan. Officials receive reports on blasphemy trials from human rights groups and monitor cases reported in the media.
	Together with EU partners, we regularly raise our concerns about blasphemy legislation and its frequent abuse with the Government of Pakistan. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade, most recently raised this issue in correspondence with the Government of Pakistan in February.

Pakistan: Land Mines

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of Pakistan on the proposal to land-mine parts of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Kim Howells: The subject was discussed when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Musharraf in Pakistan on 19 November 2006. We recognise the efforts being made by Pakistan to curb cross-border infiltration on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and its commitment to continue this work, but urge Pakistan to find solutions with less destructive long-term humanitarian consequences. We note that President Musharraf announced on 2 February that he has decided for the time being not to mine the border.

Saudi Arabia

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Foreign Office Ministers visited Saudi Arabia in 2006; and whom they met.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend, the Leader of the House the then Foreign Secretary, visited Saudi Arabia in April 2006.
	He had substantive meetings with Prince Saud al-Faisal (Foreign Minister), Crown Prince Sultan and Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid (President of the Majlis al Shura).

Security Guards

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans she has for the regulation of private military and security companies based in the United Kingdom.

Kim Howells: In late 2004 my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House the then Foreign requested a review by officials of the options for the regulation of the overseas operations of private military and security companies (PMSCs) registered in or operating from the United Kingdom. This was to follow up on the Green Paper of 2002, 'Private Military Companies: Options for Regulation' and to respond to the increase in the activities of PMSCs in areas of conflict overseas. The review highlighted complex issues which need full consideration before a decision is taken on the way forward. The Government will keep the House fully informed of their proposals in this area.

Somalia: Armed Conflict

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations her Department has made to the United Nations on resolving the on-going conflict in Somalia; and what estimate she has made of the impact this conflict has had on the numbers of people seeking asylum from that country within the United Kingdom.

Ian McCartney: The UK, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and our missions in New York, Nairobi and Addis Ababa, is in frequent contact with the UN and related bodies about the situation in Somalia. In particular, we are stressing to the UN and other key members of the international community the historic opportunity we have to bring stability to Somalia.
	We continue to monitor closely the security situation, particularly in and around Mogadishu. We do not have figures for Somalis seeking asylum in the UK as a direct result of the current situation, but note that a major deterioration in security could cause people to leave their country and seek to claim asylum elsewhere. Therefore, we are working for an effective deployment of African Union troops in conjunction with a successful National Reconciliation Congress that brings greater inclusivity. The first detachment of Ugandan troops has arrived in Mogadishu. Together, these will help bring stability to Somalia, which we would expect over the longer term to lead to a reduction in asylum seekers.

Sudan: Armed Conflict

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations her Department has made to the United Nations on resolving the conflict in Sudan; and what estimate she has made of the impact this conflict has had on numbers of people seeking asylum from that country within the United Kingdom.

Ian McCartney: The UK has played a leading role in negotiating all the UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) on Darfur.
	Ministers and officials are in constant contact with the UN Secretariat about Darfur. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, visited New York on 21 February to press the UN for more rapid action on deployment of the African Union/UN hybrid force and for urgent action on the political process.
	We believe that the next step is for the UN Security Council to impose tougher measures on the Government of Sudan and rebel groups in view of their failure to co-operate with the UN. We will be pressing the council for the extension of the existing arms embargo and for sanctions on more individuals in accordance with UNSCR 1591 (2005).
	The numbers of Sudanese asylum applications received in the UK between 2004 and 2006 have dropped. The total number of applications, excluding dependants, at the height of the Darfur conflict in 2004 was 1,305; in 2005 the figure fell to 885; and in 2006 to 675. The 2005 and 2006 figures are provisional.

Syrian Arab Republic

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of Syrian co-operation with the International Independent Investigation Commission established pursuant to Security Council Resolutions 1559 (2005), 1636 (2005) and 1644 (2005).

Margaret Beckett: The International Independent Investigation Commission produces quarterly reports on the progress of the investigations including on how Syria is co-operating with the Commission. The most recent report, dated 12 December 2006, stated that the co-operation of Syria with the Commission was timely and efficient. Earlier reports had highlighted difficulties with Syrian co-operation.
	The UK continues to insist on Syria's "full and unconditional" co-operation as called for in Security Council Resolution 1559.

Timor-Leste

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 21W, on Timor-Leste, if she will urge the UN Secretary-General to place the final report from the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor on the agenda of a meeting of the Security Council.

Ian McCartney: The CAVR Commission for Truth and Reconciliation was appointed by the then UN Transitional Administration in East Timor at the urging of the National Council of Timorese resistence, a representative East Timorese political body. Its report was delivered to East Timorese President Gusmao in October 2005, who subsequently presented its findings to the Timorese Parliament. The report has not yet been discussed by the East Timorese Parliament. However, in addressing the UN Security Council on 23 January 2006 President Gusmao expressed caution about the recommendations contained in the report, noting the need to achieve restorative justice rather than punitive justice and warning of the need to consolidate democracy in East Timor and Indonesia. In the absence of further interventions by the East Timorese Government and Parliament, we do not believe it will serve the interests of the people of East Timor for the United Kingdom to call for the report to be placed on the agenda of the UN Security Council at this stage.

Turkey

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will invite the President of Turkey to make a state visit to the UK.

Geoff Hoon: The Government have no current plans to invite the President of Turkey to make a state visit to the UK.
	The UK values extremely highly our relationship with Turkey. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary and I all visited Turkey in 2006, and the Turkish Foreign Minister met my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I in London in July. Other ministerial bilaterals take place regularly.

Turkey: EC Enlargement

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking in relation to progress on Turkey's membership of the European Union.

Geoff Hoon: The Government strongly support Turkey's objective of EU accession and welcomed the agreement at the December 2006 General Affairs and External Relations Council that negotiations should continue. As well as working for sustained progress towards this goal, the Government are also providing practical assistance. Under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Opportunities Fund—Reuniting Europe programme, we funded projects valued at over £800,000 in 2006-07, including on political reform, the justice system and human rights.

Congressional UK Caucus

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding her Department plans to allocate to support events undertaken together with the Congressional UK caucus in the United States.

Ian McCartney: There are no plans to allocate funding on a formal basis. However, our embassy in Washington does, from time to time, host events in conjunction with the caucus on the occasion of ministerial or parliamentary visits.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departments: Complaints

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many complaints have been received by his Department since its establishment.

John Prescott: None.

Departments: Complaints

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff work in dedicated complaints units in his Department.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 4 December 2006,  Official Report, column 109W.

Departments: Work Permits

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many work permits were applied for by his Department since its inception.

John Prescott: None.

Policy Review Working Group

Mark Francois: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what date he last attended the Policy Review Working Group on  (a) Britain and the World,  (b) Environment and Energy,  (c) Public Services,  (d) the Role of the State and  (e) Crime and Security.

John Prescott: Details of the membership of Policy Review Working Groups and related Cabinet Committee business are available on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/secretariats/economic_ and_domestic/policy_review/index.asp
	and copies have been placed in the Library for the reference of Members. There are no non-ministerial members of the working groups.
	Further information about the deliberations of the working groups and the other work strands supporting the policy review, including the citizen's forums, have now been published on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/policy_review/index.asp
	and copies are available in the Library for the reference of Members.
	More detailed information relating to the proceedings of working groups, including when and how often they meet and who attends any particular meeting, is generally not disclosed, as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

11 Downing Street

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1009W, on 10 Downing street: repairs and maintenance, how much was spent on the refurbishment and maintenance of  (a) the Downing street offices and  (b) the 11 Downing street flat in each year since 1997-98.

Hilary Armstrong: The Downing street complex is maintained to standards appropriate to its Grade 1/2 listed status in consultation with English Heritage. In addition to providing office accommodation the building also fulfils an important representational role. For details of the total costs of refurbishment, maintenance and structural improvements between 2002-03 and 2004-5, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger) on 16 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2393W. The cost of refurbishment, maintenance and structural improvements for 2005-6 was £306,222. This expenditure was to maintain the fixed assets, plant and machinery, the fabric of the building, floors, walls and ceilings and the upkeep and repair of heritage assets, and to ensure a safe working environment for staff and visitors. For details of maintenance, decorating and otherwise improving 10 and 11 Downing street for before 2002-03, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Southend West (Mr. Amess) on 21 July 2005,  Official Report, column 1937W.
	For details of routine maintenance on the flat above 11 Downing street, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member on 19 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1808W.
	For details of expenditure on work to the flat above No. 11 Downing street in previous years, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 10 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 1836-37W, and 11 October 2004,  Official Report, column 54W.

Cabinet Office: Official Hospitality

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether her Department provided funding for the parliamentary reception for the charity "v" in February 2007.

Edward Miliband: The parliamentary reception was hosted by my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Tom Levitt) in his role as chair of the All-Party Group on the Community and Voluntary Sector. The reception was funded by the charity from within their existing budgets.

Information: Training

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if she will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) presentation and  (b) handouts produced for her Department's seminar on information sharing on 7 February 2007.

Hilary Armstrong: I will place in the Library copies of the presentations delivered to and circulated at "The Power of Information" seminar held on 7 February 2007 as part of the Policy Review work.

TREASURY

Broadband

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Wifi spectrum is planned to be auctioned; and which parts of spectrum will be available.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Departments: Official Hospitality

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to the public purse was of the event held at No. 11 Downing Street on 26 February for film makers.

John Healey: No cost was incurred.

Economic and Monetary Union

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's total expenditure on preparations for potential UK entry to the euro was in each year since 1997.

Edward Balls: Since December 1997, the Euro Preparations Unit in the Treasury has worked with stakeholders from across the economy to ensure that euro preparations are at an appropriate level. The costs of the Euro Preparations Unit are met from within the Treasury's departmental expenditure limit

Job Creation: Environment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that could be created in the environmental technology sector in each of the next five years.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK environmental goods and services industry is strong, well established and diverse, employing approximately 400,000 people in around 17,000 companies, with an estimated annual turnover of £25 billion. A joint DTI/Defra report published in November 2006 estimated that this turnover would increase to more than £34 billion by 2010 and £46 billion by 2015. Although the Government have not produced forecasts for employment in each of the next five years, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has estimated that over 100,000 new jobs could be created in the sector over the next 10 years.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter of 22 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss M. Griffin.

Dawn Primarolo: I have replied to my right hon. Friend.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Hugo Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the process was by which the Olympics budget as it appeared in the London 2012 Candidate File was agreed.

Tessa Jowell: I have been asked to reply.
	Co-ordinated by London 2012 Ltd., the London 2012 Candidate File was agreed by Government and all other Olympic stakeholders including the Greater London Authority and the British Olympic Association in October 2004.

Unemployment

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many economically inactive people of working age there were in the UK aged  (a) 18 to 24,  (b) 25 to 49 and  (c) 50 years and over and were neither (i) disabled and (ii) a lone parent in each month since 1992.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 March 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking how many economically inactive people of working age there were in the UK who were aged  (a) 18 to 24,  (b) 25 to 49 and  (c) over 50 years and over and were neither (i) disabled and (ii) a lone parent in each month since 1992. (125895)
	The following table gives estimates of the total number of inactive people of working age, together with estimates of inactive people after excluding those who were either lone parents or disabled, by age, in each year for which data are available since 1999. Comparable estimates are not available for 2000, or for earlier periods. These estimates are not seasonally adjusted. Data is only available for the April-June quarter of each of these years.
	Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Economically inactive people of working age( 1 ) United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   All of working age  16 to17  18 to 24  25 to 49  50 and over 
			   All inactive  Excluding lone parents and disabled( 2)  people  All inactive  Excluding lone parents and disabled( 2)  people  All inactive  Excluding lone parents and disabled( 2)  people  All inactive  Excluding lone parents and disabled( 2)  people  All inactive  Excluding lone parents and disabled( 2)  people 
			 1999 7,355 3,595 613 427 1,159 838 3,059 1,429 2,523 901 
			 2001 7,455 3,573 679 473 1,144 815 3,068 1,395 2,563 890 
			 2002 7,495 3,612 732 494 1,175 839 3,040 1,397 2,549 882 
			 2003 6,797 3,288 657 437 1,138 804 2,797 1,298 2,204 750 
			 2004 7,551 3,661 771 512 1,244 870 3,074 1,432 2,462 846 
			 2005 7,540 3,683 783 518 1,293 896 3,033 1,405 2,431 864 
			 2006 7,401 3,627 842 557 1,255 864 2,912 1,378 2,391 827 
			 (1) 16 to 64 for men and 16 to 59 for women.  (2) Includes those who have a long term disability which substantially limits their day-to-day activities and those who have a long term disability which affects the kind or amount of work they might do.   Note: Comparable data are not available for 2000.   Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (Household datasets)

HOME DEPARTMENT

Assaults on Police

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were carried out following assaults on serving police officers in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 5 March 2007
	Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of people proceeded against at magistrates courts for the offence of assaulting a constable in England and Wales, 2003 to 2005, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for the offence of assaulting a constable in England and Wales, 2003 to 2005( 1,2) 
			  Offence description  Assault on a constable 
			 2003 18,274 
			 2004 19,876 
			 2005 20,074 
			 (1 )These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Bail: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Lancashire have broken the terms of their bail conditions in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows prosecutions and convictions in the Lancashire police force area from 2001 to 2005 for the offence "Failing to surrender to bail". Data are not collected centrally on other breeches of bail condition.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of "Failing to surrender to bail" in the Lancashire police force area, 2001 to 2005( 1,2) 
			   Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 2001 2,047 741 
			 2002 2,604 1,008 
			 2003 2,793 1,117 
			 2004 2,515 1,011 
			 2005 2,879 1,149 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Children: Abuse

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of levels of under-reporting of childhood sexual abuse.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office has not recently conducted or commissioned any research with regard to the under-reporting of childhood sexual abuse.

Community Policing: Lincolnshire

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what programmes on community safety have been funded by his Department in North Lincolnshire in each year since 1996; and what the cost was of each such programme.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  North Lincolnshire community safety funding streams 
			  £ 
			  Funding programme  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  Total 
			 Crime Reduction Programme 2000 134,000 — — — — — — 134,000 
			 Safer Communities Initiative — — 51,253 — — — — 51,253 
			 Communities Against Drugs — 132,100 132,100 — — — — 264,200 
			 Partnership Development Funding 10,000 44,000 40,200 — — — — 94,200 
			 Building Safer Communities Fund — — — 278,652 269,417 269,417 — 817,486 
			 Recovered Assets Funding — — — 28,000 — — — 28,000 
			 Safer Stronger Communities Fund — — — — — — 287,014 287,014 
			 Home Office Regional Directors Fund — — — — 25,000 25,000 — 50,000 
			 Basic Command Unit—Police — — — 167,448 167,448 167,448 167,448 669,792 
			 Total 144,000 176,100 223,553 474,100 461,865 461,865 454,462 2,395,945 
			  Notes: 1. The data only dates back to 2000 when the Home Office regional presence was established. 2. The data only refers to funds handled locally and not to the major policing budgets administered through the Home Office. 3. Other departmental funding such as Neighbourhood Renewal administered by CLG have not been included. However it can be assumed some elements of this funding have contributed towards community safety e.g. wardens.  Source: Govt Office for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Crime: Bedfordshire

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal offences in Bedfordshire resulted in the conviction of the offender in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Information from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of defendants found guilty at all courts for all offences in Bedfordshire police force area for the years requested is provided in the table.
	Data for 2006 will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			  Number of defendants found guilty for all offences in Bedfordshire police force area, 1997-2005( 1,2) 
			   Found guilty 
			 1997 15,020 
			 1998 16,215 
			 1999 12,926 
			 2000 13,000 
			 2001 12,205 
			 2002 12,901 
			 2003 15,342 
			 2004 14,037 
			 2005 17,321 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Departments: Visits Abroad

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total expenditure for visits, other activities and commitments outside the UK undertaken by his Department's Ministers and officials was in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: The Department's expenditure on foreign travel and accommodation in each of the last three years was:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Travel  Accommodation  Total 
			 2003-04 4,447,233 — 4,447,233 
			 2004-05 5,472,578 6,583,194 12,055,772 
			 2005-06 6,881,152 3,775,458 10,656,610 
		
	
	Separate records were not kept of foreign accommodation costs in 2003-04 and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The difference in costs over the period reflects the changing nature of the Home Office's business, in particular the growth of international terrorism, migration and international travel. Collaboration and information exchange with other countries on counter-terrorism activities and border control have become increasingly critical to the effective discharge of the Department's responsibilities for asylum, immigration and national security. This has involved higher levels of overseas travel.
	For ministerial foreign travel, which is included in the above, I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 19 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1808W.
	The Department incurs additional expenditure outside the UK, in connection with border control, international crime and anti-terrorism responsibilities. Details of this expenditure could only be identified from within records of total operational spend at disproportionate cost.

Drugs: Money Laundering

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1748W, on drugs: money laundering, what correspondence his Department has received from Michael A. Braun on the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Operation White Dollar; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: None.

Entry Clearances

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mohammed Reza, Home Office reference R1040509, a constituent of the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, will receive a response to his application for indefinite leave to remain submitted in December 2005.

Liam Byrne: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 5 March 2007.

Foreign National Prisoners

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 106W, on foreign national prisoners, on how many of the foreign prisoners released from HMP Peterborough in the 12 months to 31 March 2006 who were eligible for deportation, the immigration and nationality directorate keeps electronic records; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost of providing information on offences committed by foreign national prisoners discharged from HMP Peterborough in the 12 months to 31 March 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answers 5 March 2007
	The immigration and nationality directorate holds electronic records of all foreign national prisoners who have been notified to IND for consideration of deportation. However, historic data are drawn from a number of manual and electronic sources.
	Prisons keep records of foreign nationals released from or transferred across the prison estate. This record does not record the offences committed by individual prisoners. Manually identifying and cross- referencing IND and prison records to provide information on the foreign national prisoners released from HMP Peterborough could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	The Home Secretary has identified that there is no unique identifier to link individuals who come into contact with the asylum and immigration and criminal justice systems. We have therefore commenced development of a comprehensive approach to identity management across all Home Office areas.

Heroin

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the possible effects of the prescription of heroin to long-term addicts on the NHS on the levels of crime.

Vernon Coaker: It is not possible currently to estimate the likely effect on crime of heroin prescription to long- term addicts. The current evidence base indicates that heroin prescribing is only suitable in a small number of cases. In the vast majority of cases, it is not a safer or a more effective option than methadone prescribing.
	The National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS), the most important UK research on drug treatment, showed that for every £1 spent on treatment, at least £9.50 is saved, mainly in the costs of reduced crime. Thus there are clear economic benefits to treating drug misusers. However, this study provided no information of the relative impact of different types of treatment.
	Research is under way to build our knowledge in this area. The Home Office has commissioned the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) which will evaluate the impact of current drug treatment services on drug and alcohol use, offending, and health and social outcomes. Additionally, Government-funded projects to enhance the evidence base for the clinical use of heroin in drug treatment are currently under way.

Identity Card Scheme

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what progress has been made in tendering the contracts for the  (a) refurbishment and  (b) construction of the regional offices required to administer the national identity card scheme;
	(2)  what the locations are of the regional offices required to administer the national identity card scheme.

Joan Ryan: The Identity and Passport Service currently has no plans to set up further regional offices in addition to the current seven regional passport offices, in London, Newport, Peterborough, Glasgow, Durham, Liverpool and Belfast. An expanded local office network is already being put in place in order to meet and interview first-time applicants for passports and to prepare for recording biometrics. This office network consists of 69 offices throughout the UK, in the following proposed locations:
	Aberdeen, Aberystwyth, Andover, Armagh, Barnstaple, Belfast, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Birmingham, Blackburn, Boston, Bournemouth, Bristol, Bury St. Edmunds, Camborne, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Coleraine, Crawley, Derby, Dover, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Exeter, Galashiels, Glasgow, Hastings, Hull, Inverness, Ipswich, Kendal, Kilmarnock, Kings Lynn, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, London, Luton, Maidstone, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Newport, Newport (Isle of Wight), Northallerton, Northampton, Norwich, Oban, Omagh, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Reading, Scarborough, Shrewsbury, Sheffield, St. Austell, Stirling, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, Swindon, Warwick, Wick, Wrexham, Yeovil and York.
	The network will be supplemented by remote interview sites for remote communities, where applicants will conduct their interview by video conferencing. The contract for this office network was awarded in early 2006 to Mapeley, and the offices are currently being leased and fitted out for use by IPS.
	These offices will open in 2007 and the network will subsequently be used for the National Identity Scheme. Where the network of enrolment centres needs to be further expanded, we will first seek to use high street offices that are already used by central and local government. We will also look at options for the private sector providing outlets and any contracts will be tendered as appropriate.

Kennett Prison: Manpower

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers have been recruited to work at the new prison HMP Kennett in Merseyside.

John Reid: So far, 30 prison officers have been recruited to work at Kennet prison. Further recruitment is under way.

Migration: Languages

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of compulsory English language requirements for migrants with European Union law.

Liam Byrne: We are satisfied that the arrangements for requiring applicants for permanent settlement and naturalisation to demonstrate a knowledge of English are fully compatible with European law. The integration of migrants is a matter for member states' competence.

Offenders: Learning Disability

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners in Lancashire have learning difficulties.

Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not available centrally. However, a project undertaken by the Dyslexia Institute in Yorkshire and Humberside looked at the incidence of dyslexia and related learning disabilities among the prison population. The findings suggested that 20 per cent. of the prison population have some form of unseen (hidden) disability which will affect and undermine their performance in both education and work settings. A further 32 per cent. of the sample who were given an in-depth assessment had literacy difficulties but did not show positive evidence of the characteristics of dyslexia, dyspraxia or other unseen disabilities.

Office of Surveillance Commissioners

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which public authorities the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners inspects and monitors in respect of  (a) property interference,  (b) intrusive surveillance,  (c) directed surveillance and  (d) using covert human intelligence sources.

Tony McNulty: The public authorities liable to oversight by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners are, in respect of property interference, those authorities with which the authorising officers described in section 93(5) of the Police Act 1997 (as amended) hold positions; in respect of intrusive surveillance, those authorities with which the authorising officers described in section 32(6) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) (as amended) hold positions; in respect of directed surveillance, those public authorities listed in Schedule 1 of RIPA (as amended) and in respect of using covert human intelligence sources, those public authorities listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of RIPA (as amended).

Police Custody: West Ham

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of custody space at police stations in West Ham constituency.

Tony McNulty: The provision of custody accommodation in West Ham is a matter for the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police.

Police: Hospitals

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are on duty in hospitals in Lancashire  (a) during the day and  (b) at night.

Tony McNulty: This is an operational matter for the chief constable.

Prison Service: Manpower

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers were employed in each prison by HM Prison Service on 31 December  (a) 2005 and  (b) 2006; and what the planned number of officers was in each case.

John Reid: Information on the number of prison officers, senior officers and principal officers employed and the operational staffing requirement for every Prison Service establishment on 31 December 2005 and 2006 are contained in the following tables.
	
		
			  Number of prison officers, senior officers and principal officers employed and the operational staffing requirement for every Prison Service establishment on 31 December 2005 and 2006 
			   31 December 2005  31 December 2006 
			  Public sector establishments  Full-time equivalent staff in post  Operational staffing requirement  Full-time equivalent staff in post  Operational staffing requirement 
			 Acklington 218 219 220 222 
			 Albany 148 147 141 145 
			 Ashwell 110 108 102 111 
			 Askham Grange 30 30.6 29 30 
			 Aylesbury 184 192 187 187 
			 Bedford 144 149 140 153 
			 Belmarsh 503 554 506 563 
			 Birmingham 519 531 524 532 
			 Blakenhurst 255 260 255 261 
			 Blantyre House 32 33 31 33 
			 Blundeston 148 150 147 148 
			 Brinsford 235 240 226 238 
			 Bristol 259 276 230 246 
			 Brixton 242 243 221 243 
			 Brockhill 98 96 75 82 
			 Buckley Hall 113 118 105 103 
			 Bullingdon 245 253 240 249 
			 Bullwood Hall 79 90 73 83 
			 Camp Hill 157 155 151 157 
			 Canterbury 104 100 100 103 
			 Cardiff 250 251 243 251 
			 Castington 220 222 217 223 
			 Channings Wood 170 165 161 162 
			 Chelmsford 189 195 209 240 
			 Coldingley 91 95 91 98 
			 Cookham Wood/East Sutton Park 111 115 107 111 
			 Dartmoor 167 166 159 167 
			 Deerbolt 177 183 183 187 
			 Dorchester 110 108 103 108 
			 Dover 105 110 126 132 
			 Downview 133 142 129 137 
			 Drake Hall 90 89 82 86 
			 Durham 311 311 317 330 
			 Eastwood Park 144 154 148 153 
			 Edmunds Hill 123 132 129 132 
			 Elmley 259 257 212 205 
			 Erlestoke 112 120 111 119 
			 Everthorpe 166 157 172 172 
			 Exeter 191 183 183 181 
			 Featherstone 141 145 138 146 
			 Feltham 427 446 418 439 
			 Ford 62 64 63 66 
			 Foston Hall 109 111 132 151 
			 Frankland 583 596 557 602 
			 Full Sutton 483 481 466 483 
			 Garth 230 224 231 222 
			 Gartree 182 191 206 216 
			 Glen Parva 263 270 260 266 
			 Gloucester 121 123 119 123 
			 Grendon 159 162 148 161 
			 Guys Marsh 131 142 136 141 
			 Haslar 50 53 53 55 
			 Haverigg 137 138 127 134 
			 Hewell Grange 29 29 28 28 
			 High Down 223 233 217 218 
			 Highpoint 192 194 185 192 
			 Hindley 223 236 217 226 
			 Hollesley Bay 49 50 52 53 
			 Holloway 281 276 261 275 
			 Holme House 306 311 305 307 
			 Hull 324 327 322 325 
			 Huntercombe 167 169 161 168 
			 Kingston 72 72 74 75 
			 Kirkham 97 98 97 100 
			 Kirklevington Grange 45 45 45 45 
			 Lancaster 87 86 87 89 
			 Lancaster Farms 243 248 247 245 
			 Latchmere House 36 36 36 36 
			 Leeds 407 406 397 403 
			 Leicester 129 141 128 141 
			 Lewes 168 167.5 160 168 
			 Leyhill 71 72 69 74 
			 Lincoln 199 195 189 195 
			 Lindholme 216 218 225 226 
			 Littlehey 157 162 158 160 
			 Liverpool 439 432 419 430 
			 Long Lartin 363 365 370 373 
			 Low Newton 144 149 156 153 
			 Maidstone 151 154 148 159 
			 Manchester 495 516 494 524 
			 Moorland 328 315 326 316 
			 Morton Hall 113 117 115 117 
			 New Hall 215 211 220 216 
			 North Sea Camp 53 52 56 58 
			 Northallerton 61 67 64 67 
			 Norwich 236 238 221 236 
			 Nottingham 212 223 214 228 
			 Onley 189 215 185 211 
			 Parkhurst 187 193 180 185 
			 Pentonville 382 380 391 386 
			 Portland 178 169 185 189 
			 Preston 236 230 249 253 
			 Ranby 279 276 261 272 
			 Reading 117 121 114 117 
			 Risley 285 294 282 293 
			 Rochester 139 140 140 143 
			 Send 81 81 76 83 
			 Shepton Mallet 63 64 62 63 
			 Shrewsbury 114 115 107 115 
			 Stafford 162 153 156 160 
			 Standford Hill 82 82 62 61 
			 Stocken 151 155 149 156 
			 Stoke Heath 247 249 230 243 
			 Styal 187 186 187 190 
			 Sudbury 66 68 68 67 
			 Swaleside 248 251 213 207 
			 Swansea 154 155 153 151 
			 Swinfen Hall 202 212 206 210 
			 The Mount 150 166 154 166 
			 The Verne 116 107 103 107 
			 Thorn Cross 114 114 121 127 
			 Usk/Prescoed 94 90 93 91 
			 Wakefield 404 377 408 443 
			 Wandsworth 395 405 386 404 
			 Warren Hill 152 152 147 151 
			 Wayland 148 157 150 150 
			 Wealstun 198 191 194 194 
			 Weare 29 15 Closed Closed 
			 Wellingborough 179 181 176 179 
			 Werrington 84 84 82 89 
			 Wetherby 166 178 172 177 
			 Whatton 146 165 198 202 
			 Whitemoor 455 513 467 479 
			 Winchester 214 211 206 214 
			 Woodhill 442 459 433 463 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 323 323 313 321 
			 Wymott 256 260 243 257 
			 Sheppey reducing reoffending (clustered services) — — 117 146 
		
	
	
		
			   31 December 2005  31 December 2006 
			  Contracted establishments  Employed  Profiled  Employed  Profiled 
			 Altcourse 
			 Ashfield 141 152 152 152 
			 Bronzefield 163 160 164 160 
			 Doncaster 249 259 250 256 
			 Dovegate 240 248 244 268 
			 Forest Bank 191 194 196 198 
			 Lowdham Grange 167 169 162 161 
			 Parc 296 308 295 296 
			 Peterborough 266 255 263 274 
			 Rye Hill 133 142 142 148 
			 Wolds 94 92 101 101 
		
	
	Information has not been supplied by HMP Altcourse.

Prisoners: Day Release

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners on day release.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on the numbers of temporary release licenses issued to prisoners in prison establishments within England and Wales can be found in table 10.6 in the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2005, a copy of which can be found within the House of Commons Library. This table can also be found at the following website:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb1806section 10.xls
	It should be noted that the table refers to the number of releases rather than the number of prisoners-, so the same prisoner could appear multiple times in the table. Further, the table includes releases that last longer than one day.
	These figures are management information and may be subject to change.

Racial Violence: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported racist offences in Lancashire there were in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The available information is given in the tables.
	Racially aggravated offences are available only from the police recorded crime series from 1 April 1999.
	
		
			  Table A: Number of racially aggravated offences recorded for Lancashire police force area, 1999-2000 to 2001-02( 1) 
			  Offence  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02 
			 Racially aggravated less serious wounding 32 52 83 
			 Racially aggravated harassment 71 169 477 
			 Racially aggravated common assault 63 52 134 
			 Racially aggravated criminal damage to a dwelling 19 34 112 
			 Racially aggravated criminal damage to a building other than a dwelling 18 32 94 
			 Racially aggravated criminal damage to a vehicle 26 41 127 
			 Racially aggravated other criminal damage 3 28 30 
			 Total racially aggravated offences 232 408 1,057 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Number of racially and religiously aggravated offences recorded for Lancashire police force area, 2002-03 to 2004-05( 1) 
			  Offence  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated less serious wounding 144 138 139 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated harassment 405 714 802 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated common assault 58 91 89 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage to a dwelling 73 38 38 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage to a building other than a dwelling 40 45 40 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage to a vehicle 123 42 54 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated other criminal damage 17 17 21 
			 Total racially or religiously aggravated offences 860 1,085 1,183 
			 (1) Numbers of recorded crime were affected by changes in reporting and recording following the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in April 2002. These data are therefore not directly comparable with earlier years.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the  (a) one-off and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill: Parts 1 and 3 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Tony McNulty: Chapter I of Part I of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), which provides for the lawful interception of communications, entered into force in October 2000. When the RIP Bill was tabled, its regulatory impact assessment (RIA) estimated, accurately, total compliance costs to business (communications service providers (CSPs)) would not exceed the measure of significance (£20 million) used by the Regulatory Impact Unit of the Cabinet Office.
	Chapter II of Part I of RIPA, which provides for the lawful acquisition and disclosure of communications data, entered into force in January 2004. In line with section 24 of RIPA, arrangements are in place for CSPs to recover the costs incurred by them in complying with disclosure required by public authorities. We estimate that in 2005-06 public authorities paid communications service providers less than £20 million for disclosing communications data when required to do so.
	Part III of RIPA, which provides for the investigation of protected electronic data, is not yet in force although the Government have completed a public consultation on a draft code of practice which Parliament will be invited to approve shortly. The RIA for the RIP Bill estimated total compliance costs to business relating to Part III were not expected to exceed the measure of significance. That estimate is still valid.

Sexual Offences: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered sex offenders lived in the Peterborough city council area as at 31 December 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The available data are not collated on a borough or constituency basis. Data on registered sex offenders are collated at multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) area and police basic command unit (BCU) levels within areas. MAPPA areas are coterminous with police and probation areas. The data are published in (MAPPA) annual reports which are available in the House Libraries and at:
	http://www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk/output/page30.asp
	The Peterborough city council area is not coterminous with any area or BCU but is covered by the data relating to the Northern BCU area in Cambridgeshire's MAPPA annual report. These data represent the number of registered sex offenders as at 31 March 2006—153 in the Northern BCU.

Theft: Vehicle Number Plates

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many number plate thefts were detected in  (a) West Ham constituency and  (b) London in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05 and (iii) 2005-06.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not available centrally.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Bailiffs: Licensing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what regulations are in place on the licensing of bailiff operators.

Harriet Harman: Certificated bailiffs are governed by the Distress for Rent Rules 1988 and the Distress for Rent (Amendment) Rules 1999. High Court Enforcement Officers are governed by the High Court Enforcement Officer's Regulations 2004. Activities of County Court bailiffs employed by Her Majesty's Courts Service are regulated by the terms of their contracts of employment. All other private bailiffs are currently self-regulated.
	The Tribunals' Courts and Enforcement Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 16 November 2006 and had its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 5 March 2007. The Bill provides for the regulation of all enforcement agents, including bailiffs, who are not Crown employees. They will all have compulsory criminal record checks, all be subject to the same complaints system and all have to hold a certificate issued by a county court judge. In the longer term the Government are proposing that all non-Crown employed enforcement agents be licensed by an independent regulator, the Security Industry Authority.

Departments: Consultants

Mark Francois: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the  (a) organisations employed by her Department to provide and  (b) cost to the public purse of providing external consultancy advice on departmental rebranding since December 2006.

Harriet Harman: Part of my Department, the Public Guardianship Office, is using one company called Parity Resourcing Solutions to provide a consultant for implementation of new branding for the PGO.
	Costs incurred since December 2006 are £22,325 including VAT.

Freedom of Information

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many submissions her Department received in response to the consultation on the draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007; if she will post all responses on her Department's website; and when the final regulations are expected to be laid before Parliament.

Vera Baird: My Department has received 182 replies to the consultation on the draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007. The consultation closed on 8 March 2007.
	We will publish a summary of the responses to the document in line with the consultation code of practice set out by the Cabinet Office, which will be available on the departmental website.
	We will analyse the responses to the consultation exercise before considering laying regulations.

Magistrates: Training

Philip Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance and training is given to magistrates and magistrates' clerks on the use of their powers under section 6 of the Immigration Act 1971.

Harriet Harman: A justices' clerk or legal adviser advises magistrates in all cases in which an application under section 6 of the Immigration Act 1971 is made. As qualified barristers or solicitors, they are fully trained and experienced in the research of legal issues. In giving advice, justices' clerks and legal advisers have access to the statutory provisions and commentary on it, as well as Home Office circulars giving guidance. Because of the relative infrequency of such applications, however, there is no specific national training for legal advisers or magistrates on the topic, although some courts may provide specific local training.

HEALTH

Abortion: Young People

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many girls  (a) under the age of 15 and  (b) aged 15 to 18 years had abortions in each year between 1999 and 2005.

Caroline Flint: The available information is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Abortions under age 19, England and Wales residents, 1999-2005 
			   Under 15 years  15 to 18 years 
			 2005 1,083 28,142 
			 2004 1,034 28,186 
			 2003 1,171 27,887 
			 2002 1,075 26,631 
			 2001 1,066 26,738 
			 2000 1,048 26,537 
			 1999 1,066 26,101

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many attendances there were at type 1 accident and emergency departments in each quarter since the quarter ending June 1997; and how many patients were admitted to hospital through type 1 accident and emergency departments in each quarter.

Andy Burnham: Full information is not available in the format requested. The information available is in the following table.
	
		
			   Quarter  Attendances at all types of accident and emergency (A and E) department  Attendances at type 1 A and E departments  Admissions via type 1 A and E departments 
			 1997-98 — 14,364,146 — — 
			  
			 1998-99 — 14,280,388 — — 
			  
			 1999-2000 — 14,629,025 — — 
			  
			 2000-01 — 14,293,307 — — 
			  
			 2001-02 1 3,633,823 — — 
			  2 3,685,719 — — 
			  3 3,443,924 — — 
			  4 3,340,876 — — 
			  
			 2002-03 1 3,740,076 3,085,850 — 
			  2 3,746,866 3,095,650 565,743 
			  3 3,435,018 2,882,500 574,983 
			  4 3,469,562 2,930,874 583,491 
			  
			 2003-04 1 4,132,497 3,217,931 584,987 
			  2 4,347,584 3,281,186 604,515 
			  3 4,027,622 3,106,667 637,406 
			  4 4,009,142 3,059,698 640,840 
			  
			 2004-05 1 4,502,578 3,377,850 651,785 
			  2 4,556,695 3,381,219 673,452 
			  3 4,374,927 3,257,398 705,901 
			  4 4,402,980 3,249,353 724,814 
			  
			 2005-06 1 4,859,578 3,520,931 719,644 
			  2 4,744,255 3,403,089 702,254 
			  3 4,605,971 3,346,995 736,518 
			  4 4,549,360 3,282,671 733,343 
			  
			 2006-07 1 4,891,724 3,509,770 722,342 
			  2 4,892,182 3,493,340 737,543 
			  3 4,559,139 3,307,210 754,449 
			  Notes:  1. Prior to Q1 (April to June) 2001-02, A and E attendance data were only collected annually and as a total for types of A and E department. At this time, this did not include walk-in centres.  2. Attendances at A and E departments broken down by A and E type were first collected in Q1 (April to June) 2002-03. 3. From Q1 (April to June) 2003-04, attendances at walk-in centres were included in attendance information for all types of A and E department. Walk-in centres are considered to be a type 3 A and E service. 4. Admissions via A and E departments were first collected in Q2 2002-03, for type 1 A and E departments.  Source: QMAE dataset, KH09 dataset, Department of Health

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many attendances at type 1 accident and emergency departments there were in each year since 1997, broken down by NHS organisation.

Andy Burnham: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The available information has been placed in the Library.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the average cost of providing care for a patient who has been admitted to hospital via a type 1 accident and emergency department.

Andy Burnham: Cost data collected from the national health service does not distinguish between different admission methods.
	We are therefore unable to identify separately the costs of providing care for patients admitted to hospital via a type 1 accident and emergency department.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the emergency spell differential tariff rate in controlling levels of emergency admissions.

Andy Burnham: There has not been an assessment of the emergency spell differential tariff rate in controlling levels of emergency admissions. The differential tariff is a method of managing financial risk to commissioners and providers associated with emergency admissions, and not a method of controlling emergency admission levels.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2007,  Official Report, column 543W, on accident and emergency departments, what measures she uses to assess the critical size of a hospital; using these methods, if she will define the critical size of a hospital; and what the evidential basis was for the statement that a consensus is emerging on the critical size of a hospital.

Andy Burnham: There is no central criterion or measure of a critical size of hospital as it will depend on local circumstances. However, we would expect that population demographics are one factor that the local national health service would consider in ensuring the provision of appropriate services, including accident and emergency facilities, to meet people's needs
	The increasing consensus among professional bodies that a critical size of hospital is required to ensure that specialist facilities are available to treat all patients with emergency needs safely is evidenced through a number of publications that such bodies have produced in the past.

Alzheimer's Disease

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent assessment she has made of medical developments allowing earlier identification of Alzheimer's disease;
	(2)  what recent assessment she has made of research on the delays in the onset of dementia which may result from early identification of Alzheimer's disease; and how she plans for such research to inform NHS practice.

Ivan Lewis: The NICE clinical guideline on "Dementia: supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care", published in November 2006, recommends that as part of their role, primary health care staff should consider referring people who show signs of mild cognitive impairment for assessment by memory assessment services to aid early identification of dementia.
	The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service. A number of national programme studies on Alzheimer's disease and on dementia currently under way are likely to provide evidence of relevance to our understanding of the onset and development of the condition.
	The main part of the Department's expenditure on health research is allocated to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects supported in the NHS, including a number concerned with the identification, detection or progress of Alzheimer's disease, can be found on the national research register at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/research

Ambulance Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the letter to her from the Minister of State, Department of Health, responsible for delivery and reform, published on her Department's website on 31 January 2007, whether paramedics are expected to take all patients from 999 calls to accident and emergency.

Andy Burnham: The Department has made clear that ambulance clinicians are not expected to take all patients from 999 calls to accident and emergency departments. Some calls may be resolved over the telephone, and some patients may be treated at the scene or in the community and therefore do not need to go to hospital. In 2005-06, national health service ambulance trusts in England received 5.96 million 999 calls, and attended 4.77 million incidents. Of those incidents attended, 73 per cent. resulted in an emergency patient journey. Guidance was issued in 2002, 2004 and 2005 to this effect.
	My letter to the Secretary of State for Health expressed the need to build on the Department's action to date on this issue, and emphasised that more patients could be treated at the scene or in the community.

Ambulance Services: Pendle

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances are based in Pendle; and how many were based there in 2003.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not held centrally.

Aneurysm Screening

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 31 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 402-03W, on aneurysm screening, what assessment she has made of the cost of establishing a national screening programme for men aged 65 and over for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Ivan Lewis: Preliminary cost analysis by the UK National Screening Committee's Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Working Group indicates that a full roll-out of an AAA screening programme for men aged 65 would cost between £20 and £25 million revenue to implement in England in year one. Final costs will be subject to a number of factors such as the configuration of services. This is ongoing work.

Blood Cholesterol

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to set targets for reducing blood cholesterol levels in England to the same level as that indicated in the guidelines produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.

Rosie Winterton: The Department's policy on cholesterol targets is set out in the national service framework for coronary heart disease, and reflected in key drivers of practice such as the quality and outcomes framework of the general medical service contract.
	The guidelines produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network are welcomed as a contribution to policy development. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently working on guidance on lipid management, due out later this year. That guidance will set out any revisions to current policy on targets for controlling cholesterol.

Care Homes: Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1411W, on care homes, what form the public consultation on review of the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes will take; and how members of the public will be able to participate in the consultation.

Ivan Lewis: The consultation will be available on the Department's website. Hard copies will be provided on request. Members of the public will be able to respond via email or post their responses to the addresses given in the consultation document.

Chase Farm Hospital

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the option to retain Chase Farm hospital's  (a) accident and emergency department and  (b) consultant-led maternity services is in accordance with the Government's national clinical strategy.

Andy Burnham: As part of the work leading up to the launch of the formal public consultation on the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey clinical strategy, NHS London has asked Professor Sir George Alberti, the NHS National Director for Emergency Access, to work with the local NHS and offer an independent view on the clinical case for change.
	It is for the local NHS, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to plan, develop and improve services for local people. Any change to local services would only happen after full public consultation with local people.

Chiropody: Greater London

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines her Department has issued on eligibility and access criteria for podiatry services; and what steps she has taken to assess compliance with such guidelines in  (a) Bexley primary care trust and  (b) London primary care trusts.

Ivan Lewis: There are no central guidelines in respect of eligibility or access criteria for podiatry services and we have no plans to carry out an assessment. It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) in partnership with local stakeholders to commission services in order to meet local needs. Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring that PCTs fulfil this duty.

Chlamydia Infection: Screening

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects each primary care trust to start Chlamydia screening as part of the national chlamydia screening programme.

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of primary care trusts is participating in the Chlamydia screening programme; and when she expects 100 per cent. geographical coverage to be achieved.

Caroline Flint: In November 2005 the operational management of the national chlamydia screening programme was transferred to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). To the end of December 2006, we had 43 per cent. of Primary Care Trusts reporting data to the HPA. This covers 35 programme areas. More programme areas have started screening since then. The next data will be reported to the HPA in April.
	We expect to see 100 per cent. geographical coverage during 2007. Strategic health authorities have submitted plans to screen at least 15 per cent. of their population aged 15-24 by March 2008.

Cochlear Implants

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cochlear implant operations were performed on patients resident in England in  (a) English and  (b) Welsh hospitals in each of the last three years.

Ivan Lewis: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) shows that there have been 1,406 cochlear implant operations performed on patients resident in England in the last three years (2003-04 to 2005-06). HES is only able to supply data on operations conducted in national health services hospitals in England. Data have been supplied for residents of English strategic health authorities.
	The Department does not hold data on the number of cochlear implant operations performed in Welsh hospitals on patients who are resident in England.

Coeliac Disease

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had on extending the range of foodstuffs available by prescription to sufferers of coeliac disease.

Rosie Winterton: We have had no such discussions.

Community Hospitals: Finance

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria govern primary care trusts' applications to access the funds allocated for community hospital refurbishment; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Strategic health authorities have been asked to submit only schemes that fit with their strategic priorities, meet local need and demonstrate value for money. Individual schemes are expected to meet the design principles set out in "Our Health our care, our community—investing in the future of community hospitals and services". The role for the Department is to validate that these criteria have been met and to reassure itself that the schemes deliver the objectives set out in "Our health, our care, our community—Investing in the future of community hospitals and services".

Dental Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what average number of units of dental activity she expects an average patient to consume in a year.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not made any assumptions nationally about average numbers of units of dental activity for patients. Primary care trusts are responsible for commissioning dental services on the basis of local needs assessments.

Dental Services: Leeds

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to increase the number of NHS dentists and oral health specialists operating in the Leeds area.

Rosie Winterton: Leeds primary care trust is working to improve access to national health service dentistry. It has recruited three additional dentists in North West Leeds and has established the Leeds Dental Advice Line to help patients access dental services, including emergency services.

Dexrazoxane

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will bring forward proposals to use dexrazoxane for the prevention of cardiac damage caused by antibiotics.

Rosie Winterton: A marketing authorisation for Cardioxane (dexrazoxane) was approved in the United Kingdom in July 2006, initially to Chiron Corporation Ltd. The current marketing authorisation is held by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd following a change of ownership application, completed in September 2006.
	Cardioxane is authorised for prevention of chronic cumulative cardiotoxicity caused by doxorubicin or epirubicin (anthracycline antibiotics) use in advanced and/or metastatic cancer patients after previous anthracycline containing treatment.

Disability Aids: Children

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what entitlement there is for disabled children to have aids and equipment provided for them by primary care trusts.

Ivan Lewis: The Children, Young People and Maternity Services National Service Framework (NSF) sets out high expectations of what we think health and social care services for children should be. While all the standards within the NSF are relevant to disability, standard 8 specifically relates to disabled children who need ongoing health and social care interventions having access to high-quality evidence-based care delivered by staff with the right skills.
	As a result of implementation of the children's NSF, disabled children, young people and their families should experience services based on assessed needs, which promote inclusion and, wherever possible, enable them to live ordinary lives. Provision of aids and equipment is based on an assessment of need, not an entitlement to specific items or services. Decisions on whether or not to meet individual equipment needs are based on assessments carried out at a local level.
	The "Transforming Community Equipment Services Project—helping to make independence a reality" is undertaking a radical review of community equipment and wheelchair services with a view to implementing a new model of service delivery by autumn 2007, with the objective of developing a new model of service delivery in collaboration with all key stakeholders. We anticipate that a new model of service delivery, capable of implementation by autumn 2007, will involve a greatly expanded role for the third sector.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drug treatment services have provision for crèche facilities in relation to  (a) day care and  (b) residential care.

Caroline Flint: The information is not available centrally.

Durham Primary Care Trust: Finance

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cash savings have been made as a result of the amalgamation of trusts into Durham Primary Care Trust; and what savings are projected in the next 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The costs of the changes that were announced on 16 May will depend on a number of factors, including the location of new organisations being created, the number of people in the new organisations and new pay ranges for very senior managers, as well as changes in estate costs following reconfiguration.
	These arrangements are currently being worked up and discussed with trade unions and staff. Until those discussions have been concluded and the detail of new arrangements agreed, it is not possible to confirm or accurately forecast costs.
	Commissioning a patient-led national health service is designed to deliver £250 million savings from administration costs through streamlining for reinvestment in frontline services. The savings are expected to be realised by the end of 2007 and then every year for reinvestment beginning in 2008-09.
	Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been asked to oversee the Generation of the savings locally. Each SHA has a cost "envelope" that it should realise but it is for local determination to work out the best way of achieving these savings.

Folic Acid

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the potential health benefits of compulsory fortification of flour with folic acid, with particular reference to spina bifida and other neural tube defects; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department currently recommends that women trying to get pregnant should take a daily 400 microgram folic acid supplement from the time they stop using contraception until the 12th week of pregnancy. Women should also eat foods containing folate—the natural form of folic acid—such as green vegetables and brown rice as well as fortified bread and breakfast cereals. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects including spina bifida in the newborn.
	The Food Standards Agency is currently undertaking a consultation exercise on the options for increasing the folate intake of young women to reduce the number of pregnancies affected by a neural tube defect. One of the four options being considered is the mandatory fortification of bread or flour with folic acid. The closing date for comments is 13 March 2007.

Food: EC Law

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Food Standards Agency has received a copy of the European Commission consultation document on the proposal that the European Food Safety Authority be permitted to charge fees for the consideration of dossiers submitted under European food law; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency has received a copy of the Commission's consultation document, and has co-ordinated and submitted a reply on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. The response agreed with the principle of charging for work done in assessing authorisation files, but indicated that such charging should be limited to circumstances in which the applicant is the sole commercial beneficiary. The comments also underlined the important need to take account of the potential impact on small and medium-sized enterprises. These would be at a particular disadvantage with any charging arrangements.

General Practitioners

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to ensure that primary care trusts support general practitioners in delivering services to patients in innovative ways; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Practice-based gives primary care professionals an opportunity to engage in commissioning and redesign services to better meet patients' needs. PBC gives general practitioners more responsibility for local health budgets. This acts as a driver for more responsive and innovative models of joined-up support within communities, delivering better health outcomes and well-being, including a focus on prevention.
	All primary care trusts (PCTs) had arrangements in place to support general practitioners in commissioning and delivering services as part of PBC by December 2006, providing each practice with an indicative budget, information on activity and an incentive to become engaged. PCTs are expected to support practices that are innovative and entrepreneurial, working with them to redesign clinical pathways and secure the services that are needed locally.
	New guidance published on 28 November 2006 sets out further obligations on PCTs to help advance PBC. Strategic health authorities are expected to assure themselves that there is a quality framework to support PBC.

General Practitioners

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the briefing paper issued in 2006 by her Department entitled "An assessment of the clinical effectiveness, cost and viability of NHS General Practitioners with Special Interest (GPSI) services" in relation to the efficacy of moving clinical services from district general hospitals to GP surgeries.

Andy Burnham: None yet. The commitment to offer more national health service services closer to people's homes was announced in the White Paper "Our Health, our care, our say", which was published in January 2006. Subsequently, in February 2006 we launched the "Care Closer to Home" demonstration project to support delivery of the White Paper commitment. The research paper was published some months later and we will take it into account in evaluating the demonstration project.

General Practitioners: Bedfordshire

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds were spent by Bedfordshire primary care trust and its predecessors to ensure that doctors' surgeries and general practices can undertake the shift in patient services from the secondary sector to primary care in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not held centrally.

Health Care Professionals: Recruitment

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of which developed countries attract the largest numbers of health care professionals from less developed countries with inadequate domestic health care systems.

Rosie Winterton: The Government do not currently collect these data. Nevertheless, the 2006 World Health Report "Working Together for Health" looked at patterns of health care professionals migrating to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The report says that while statistics on global flows of health workers remain far from complete, nearly 25 per cent. of doctors trained in sub-Saharan Africa are working in OECD countries (from 3 per cent. in Cameroon to 37 per cent. in South Africa). Nurses and midwives trained in sub-Saharan Africa and working in OECD countries represent 5 per cent. of the current work force (again a wide range from 0.1 per cent. in Uganda to 34 per cent. in Zimbabwe). Table 5.1, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, says that among OECD countries there is a range as to the percentage of doctors trained abroad (from 4 per cent. in Portugal to 34 per cent. in New Zealand (33 per cent. for the United Kingdom) and for nurses (0 per cent. for Finland to 21 per cent. for New Zealand (10 per cent. for the UK). It is important to note that the report does not specify the number of these overseas-trained doctors and nurses who come from developing countries.

Health Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has been made of the impact of clinical assessment, treatment and support services on local health economies.

Andy Burnham: The clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) scheme will improve local community access to healthcare services, in line with the White Paper "Our Health, our care, our say" which signalled our intention to bring services closer to patients.
	There is a robust process to ensure there is both local support and a capacity need for such schemes, and to reduce the risk that a scheme will destabilise existing national health service providers. An impact analysis of the scheme is currently under way, commissioned by the North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA). The SHA is working closely with the local acute trusts to ensure that any impact is managed and the positive benefits of the scheme for the whole health economy are delivered.

Health Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the quality of the treatment in a clinical assessment, treatment and support clinic will be recorded and assessed.

Andy Burnham: All independent sector providers who are awarded contracts to provide clinical assessment, treatment and support services will be registered with the Healthcare Commission under the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England) Regulations 2001 No. 3968.
	Strict contractual performance management of independent sector treatment centres is undertaken by the Department's commercial directorate. There are also contractual and statutory reporting obligations to the Department, the Healthcare Commission and referrers.

Health Services: Braintree

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of the proposed independent sector treatment centre in Bocking, Braintree on the future of the proposed community hospital on the site of St Michael's Hospital, Braintree.

Andy Burnham: The introduction of independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) is expected to increase patient choice and accessibility across the region. It is for strategic health authorities to manage the integration of ISTC schemes with local national health service provision.

Health Services: Braintree

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions have taken place between her Department and the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust on the location of the proposed independent sector treatment centre in Bocking, Braintree;
	(2)  what consultation with Mid Essex Primary Care Trust took place before the announcement of Mercury Health as the preferred bidder for the provision of an independent sector treatment centre in Bocking, Braintree.

Andy Burnham: Engagement with the local national health service on the Essex independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) scheme was with the local strategic health authority (SHA), not directly with the primary care trusts. At the time of Mercury Health's appointment as the scheme's preferred bidder, which was agreed with the East of England SHA, the locations of the proposed ISTC sites, including a potential location in Braintree, had not been finalised.
	Location proposals for the ISTC scheme were agreed with East of England SHA. It is anticipated that there will be three ISTCs in the region located in Braintree, Basildon and Southend; locations have been adopted to facilitate easier access for patients in Essex in relation to healthcare services.

Health Services: Children

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity Services was first asked to produce her reports  (a) "Making it better: For children and young people" and  (b) "Making it better: For mother and baby", published on 6 February.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State asked Sheila Shribman on 7 November 2006 to produce these reports. They are part of a series of published reports by National Clinical Directors (NCDs), setting out the clinical case for change in their respective specialties. NCDs are experts, and each oversees the implementation of a national service framework (NSF) and represents the professional and client group interests and issues in the Department. NCDs work with policy and delivery teams, clinical networks and the national health service management community to achieve joined-up action. Dr. Shribman is in charge of implementation of the NSF for Children, Young People and Maternity Services.

Health Services: EC Nationals

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net cost or benefit to the UK was of reciprocal arrangements for reimbursing the costs of treatment of EU citizens treated in other member states  (a) in total and  (b) in respect of each member state in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows, in resource terms, the estimated net costs to the United Kingdom of the European Union reciprocal arrangements for health care. These are net health care claims estimated in accordance with existing arrangements under the regulations. These figures reflect the fact that more people go abroad (to work, retire or go on holiday) than come to the UK.
	
		
			  Estimated net claims by other European Economic Area member states during 2005 
			   In sterling (Thousand) 
			  Country  2005 
			 Total 433,441 
			 Austria 2,304 
			 Belgium 776 
			 Cyprus 3,570 
			 France 64,154 
			 Germany 5,103 
			 Greece -219 
			 Ireland 280,304 
			 Italy 976 
			 Malta 1,713 
			 Netherlands 3,047 
			 Portugal 1,142 
			 Spain 68,972 
			 Sweden -37 
			 Switzerland 1,636 
			  Notes: 1. The information is compiled in line with the requirements of "Government Accounting 2000" and National Audit Office (NAO) and used for Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) purpose during 2005-06. 2. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest thousand. 3. Any necessary additional resource adjustments would be included in future years e.g. other new member states. 4. We have waiver arrangements with a number of member states which means they have agreed to bear the costs of each other's insured persons, for example Denmark and Luxembourg.

Health Services: North West Region

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the setting up of clinical assessment, treatment and support clinics in Lancashire and Cumbria will improve accessibility for patients.

Andy Burnham: Clinical assessment, treatment and support services in Cumbria and Lancashire will provide more services closer to patients' homes and reduce the number of appointments a patient needs to attend before hospital treatment.

Health Services: North West Region

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the need for the clinical assessment, treatment and support scheme in Lancashire and Cumbria was first identified; and how the need was tested and assessed.

Andy Burnham: The need for clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) services for Cumbria and Lancashire was identified two years ago by the former Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority following the success of a similar scheme in Greater Manchester.
	It is estimated that across the north-west the number of patients waiting for treatment needs to be reduced from 119,000 to 65,000 in order to achieve the 18-week maximum waiting time from general practitioner referral to treatment by the end of 2008. A combination of pathway reform, demand management and additional activity such as that offered through CATS is required to achieve this reduction in waiting list numbers.

Health Services: North West Region

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether  (a) GPs in Lancashire and Cumbria will be able to choose not to refer patients and  (b) patients in that area will be able to choose not to go to a clinical assessment, treatment and support service.

Andy Burnham: Decisions about where patients are referred for treatment will continue to be made by patients and their general practitioners (GPs). The clinical assessment, treatment and support services in Cumbria and Lancashire will provide an additional referral option for patients and their GPs.

Health Services: North West Region

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Netcare will be paid over its five- year contract to deliver clinical assessment, treatment and support services in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Andy Burnham: No contract has been awarded for clinical assessment, treatment and support services in Cumbria and Lancashire. The commercial terms between the Department and Netcare are still subject to negotiation.

Health Services: North West Region

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what interaction GPs will have with healthcare professionals staffing clinical assessment, treatment and support schemes in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Andy Burnham: The Cumbria and Lancashire clinical assessment, treatment and support scheme is an integrated scheme between primary and secondary care. Communication between all health care providers in the local health economy is important to achieving this. Local clinicians have already been engaged with the scheme's preferred bidder to this end, to achieve an integrated pathway for patients.

Health Services: North West Region

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  from where staff working in clinical assessment, treatment and support service clinics in Lancashire and Cumbria will be recruited;
	(2)  how many staff, and at what grades, will be employed by Netcare in Lancashire and Cumbria to deliver the clinical assessment, treatment and support service contract;
	(3)  who will draft and agree the protocols under which the staff employed in Lancashire and Cumbria by Netcare will work.

Andy Burnham: The contract for clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) services is still under negotiation. All independent sector health care providers awarded contracts under phase 2 of the Independent Sector Treatment Centre procurement are required to comply with the policy of additionality which exists to ensure the conservation of national health service clinical skills in key professions.
	As contract negotiations are still ongoing, precise staff numbers, experience, and skills sets are not finalised. However, it is thought that the scheme could employ approximately 150 whole-time equivalent clinical and non-clinical staff.
	An independent sector provider awarded a contract to provide CATS services would be required to produce a workforce strategy, which would set workforce protocols. The protocols would be reviewed and approved by the Department.
	The independent sector provider's workforce policies are required to comply with all applicable and current United Kingdom employment legislation and departmental guidance and to demonstrate workforce best practice. In addition, independent sector providers are required to comply with the provisions of "Safer Recruitment—A Guide for NHS Employers (May 2005)".

Home Helps

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the total number of home help hours delivered in England in each year since 1997-98.

Ivan Lewis: The total number of home help hours delivered during the year is not collected centrally. The number of hours of home help delivered in England during a sample week in September of each year from 1997 to 2005 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Estimated number of contact hours of home help delivered during a sample week, September 
			  Rounded numbers 
			   Number of hours 
			 1997 2,607,500 
			 1998 2,607,400 
			 1999 2,684,200 
			 2000 2,791,300 
			 2001 2,881,700 
			 2002 2,983,200 
			 2003 3,174,800 
			 2004 3,359,000 
			 2005 3,567,500 
			  Notes: 1. The table contains estimates for missing data.  2. Households receiving home care purchased with a direct payment are excluded.   Source:  HH1 return.

Hospices: Children

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department expects to give guidance to the Association of Children's Hospices on the distribution of  (a) year two and  (b) year three funding of the moneys allocated to children's hospices to replace the loss of Lottery funding; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We are currently reviewing the process used for the hospice service grants in 2006-07 and are collecting information on the hospice service schemes supported this year. We will be discussing with the Association of Children's Hospices and other key stakeholders any revisions necessary to the process for 2007-08 and 2008-09. We will be issuing further information for applicant organisations once this has been completed.

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's latest estimate is of the additional cost required to meet the 18-week waiting time target  (a) in 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08 and  (c) the months April to December 2008.

Andy Burnham: The 2004 comprehensive spending review provided for an extra £1,000 million and £1,900 million in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively for extra out-patient and in-patient activity needed to cover demand growth, existing waiting time initiatives and progress towards the 18-week waiting time target. The current spending review, which will deal with 2008-09 onwards, has yet to be completed.

Infertility Treatment

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement by the Minister of State, Department of Health, the hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint)  Official Report, columns 125-26WH, on infertility treatment, what funding she is providing for Infertility Network UK to conduct the work she has commissioned; what areas she expects to be covered by Infertility Network UK in the course of its work; when she expects the work to be completed; whether she plans to publish a report on the work completed; whether she plans to publish an interim report; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are giving a three-year project grant to Infertility Network UK to help primary care trusts share best practice in the provision of fertility services and engage with fertility patients in the planning and prioritisation of services. In the current year, the project funding is £21,000, increasing to £25,000 in 2007-08 and 2008-09. This is in addition to three-year core funding of £30,000 a year.
	Once Infertility Network UK has completed an analysis of current provision, we will discuss taking the initial findings forward with including making the results of this work publicly available. As the project progresses, they will liaise with primary care trusts to discuss approaches to the provision of fertility services and the dissemination of good practice.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which groups of workers would be eligible for antiviral prophylaxis in  (a) an outbreak of avian influenza and  (b) an influenza pandemic; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza any workers who have been or could be exposed to infection through their work activity will be offered the antiviral oseltamivir subject to an individual risk assessment by the Health Protection Agency. Such workers are likely to include poultry workers on the infected farm, vets, catchers and cullers of poultry, and contractors involved in carcase disposal and site decontamination.
	Our current United Kingdom strategy is to use antiviral drugs predominantly for treatment of people with pandemic influenza. We are currently considering the practicalities of giving short courses of anti-virals (as prophylaxis) to members of the household of a person with pandemic influenza. However, this would require a larger stockpile than currently planned.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many courses of oseltamivir have been used in the prophylaxis of poultry workers and others potentially exposed to avian influenza in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007.

Rosie Winterton: The number of courses of anti-virals used in the prophylaxis of poultry workers and others potentially exposed to avian influenza is as follows:
	
		
			Number 
			 2005 Essex quarantine incident 10 
			 2006 Norfolk H7N3 incident 129 
			 2007 Suffolk avian influenza incident 554

Maternity Services: Disadvantaged

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what effect she expects the recommendations in the report by Dr. Sheila Shribman, "Making it better: For mother and baby", commissioned by her Department, to have on maternity services in areas of urban and rural deprivation;
	(2)  how the recommendations of the report by Dr. Sheila Shribman, Making it better: For mother and baby", commissioned by her Department, will inform the work of primary care trusts in redesigning maternity services.

Ivan Lewis: Dr. Shribman's report did not make specific recommendations. However, it did set out the clinical case for change in maternity services to ensure all women have access to high-quality, safe and responsive services. We will shortly be publishing a document which will describe a programme for improving choice, access and continuity of care in maternity services. The document will set out how commissioners can use the health reform agenda to ensure their services are sensitive to the needs of their population and take into account geographical and health inequality factors.

Maternity Services: Shrewsbury

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the proposals by the Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country Newborn Network to downgrade the neonatal unit at Royal Shrewsbury hospital to level 2; and why it is proposed that the unit should no longer have level 3 status.

Ivan Lewis: National health service West Midlands reports that the maternity unit at Royal Shrewsbury hospital has never been the equivalent of a level 3 unit. Therefore, the proposals, which will be subject to public consultation, should not be viewed as a downgrading of Royal Shrewsbury hospital's maternity unit.

Mid Essex Primary Care Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many administrative staff there were in each of the three individual primary care trusts that have been merged into Mid Essex primary care trust prior to the merger; and what the corresponding figure is for the newly merged primary care trust.

Andy Burnham: Information regarding Mid Essex primary care trust (PCT) is not currently available, but will be published in late April.
	Information for the three individual primary care trusts prior to the merger is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  National health service hospital and community health services: Administrative staff in each specified organisation by level as at  30 September 2005 
			   Headcount 
			 Total specified organisations 365 
			 Chelmsford PCT: Total 65 
			 Senior manager 4 
			 Manager 13 
			 Clerical and administrative 48 
			   
			 Maldon And South Chelmsford PCT: Total 150 
			 Senior manager 5 
			 Manager 16 
			 Clerical and administrative 129 
			   
			 Witham Braintree and Halstead Care Trust: Total 150 
			 Senior manager 9 
			 Manager 27 
			 Clerical and administrative 114 
			  Source:  The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census

Mid Essex Primary Care Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each former individual primary care trust in the newly formed Mid Essex Primary Care Trust spent annually on its finance department prior to the merger of the three primary care trusts; and how much has been spent since the merger into one primary care trust.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not held centrally.

Midwives: Leicestershire

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives were in training in Leicestershire teaching hospitals in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: This information is not held centrally.

Midwives: Leicestershire

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives were employed in the NHS in Leicestershire in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The number of midwives employed in the national health service in Leicestershire in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table. 2005 is the latest year for which centrally validated figures are available.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified midwifery staff in each specified organisation as at 30 September each specified year 
			  Headcount 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust 150 140 159 — — — — — — 
			 Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust 212 226 233 — — — — — — 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust — — — 393 372 365 398 390 352 
			 Total specified organisations 362 366 392 393 372 365 398 390 352 
			  Notes: 1. In 2000 Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust and Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust merged to form the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. 2. Figures given are for headcount and not whole-time equivalents.  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census.

Monitor

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual budget is of Monitor; when it was set up; how many paid officials it employs; whether it shares office premises with another publicly-funded body; what annual rental is paid on its offices; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Monitor (whose statutory name is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) was established in January 2004 further to section 2 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (which has since been consolidated into the National Health Service Act 2006).
	Monitor's annual budget for 2006-07 is £12.8 million, £0.5 million of which relates to Monitor's involvement in the Department's whole health community diagnostic exercise for the acute and mental health national health service trusts.
	I am advised by the chairman of Monitor that it currently employs 69 full-time staff and the annual rental paid on its offices, which are not shared with any other publicly funded body, is approximately £358,000.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members there are of each NHS foundation hospital trust in England; and what the annual cost of servicing the membership has been in each case.

Andy Burnham: I am advised by the chairman of Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) that the most up-to-date membership figures for each national health service foundation trust are contained in Monitor's recent submission to the Health Committee's inquiry into patient and public involvement in the NHS, a copy which is available in the Library (HC 278-11). At the time of Monitor's submission in January 2007, there were approximately 625,000 members of the then 54 NHS foundation trusts.
	The annual cost of servicing the membership of individual NHS foundation trusts depends on a number of factors, including their size. Detailed figures may be obtained by contacting the chairs of individual NHS foundation trusts direct.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 672-73W, on NHS foundation trusts, if she will list references to the growing body of evidence that performance and responsiveness have improved across the national health service foundation trust sector.

Andy Burnham: Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) routinely publishes information on the performance of national health service foundation trusts on its website at www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk. Key publications include "NHS Foundation Trusts: Report for six-month period to 30 September 2006" and "Review and Consolidated Accounts of NHS Foundation Trusts 2005-06", the latter of which was laid before Parliament on 12 December 2006. The financial results for the nine-month period to 31 December 2006 are due to be published in mid-March 2007.
	The results of the 2005-06 annual health check exercise by the Healthcare Commission, which are publicly available on its website at www.healthcarecommission.org.uk, show that foundation trusts are delivering improved care for patients required by their commissioners and to nationally prescribed standards, and value for money.
	Other evidence includes publications by the Foundation Trust Network at www.foundationtrustnetwork.org such as "Foundation Trusts: two years on" which provides further independent evidence that foundation trusts are demonstrating the capacity for improving patient services that their greater freedom and independent corporate governance brings.

NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the funding for the proposed independent sector treatment centres will be on-balance sheet; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Where assets under the Independent Sector Treatment Centre programme are likely to revert to the national health service these will appear on balance sheet. Funding for this is through the NHS capital allocations and is included in the Department's accounts.

NHS: Drugs

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the pooled treatment budget for NHS drugs is in London, broken down by primary care trust.

Caroline Flint: The information in the table shows the pooled drug treatment budget allocations for London primary care trusts in 2006-07 and proposed allocations in 2007-08.
	
		
			  £ 
			  PCT lead within London  Adult PTB 2006-07 (inc. PTB capital)  PTB channelled through PCT 2007-08 (indicative) 
			 Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust 870,454 898,680 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Primary Care Trust 2,425,088 2,500,997 
			 Hounslow Primary Care Trust 1,537,391 1,573,628 
			 Camden Primary Care Trust 3,742,613 3,721,583 
			 Harrow Primary Care Trust 1,154,246 1,147,614 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Primary Care Trust 2,539,277 2,516,144 
			 Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust 1,301,669 1,289,327 
			 Bromley Primary Care Trust 1,416,665 1,402,142 
			 Ealing Primary Care Trust 3,030,690 2,993,276 
			 Kingston Primary Care Trust 913,504 899,782 
			 Shropshire County Primary Care Trust 1,217,918 1,191,582 
			 Westminster Primary Care Trust 3,749,859 3,661,381 
			 Wandsworth Primary Care Trust 2,907,657 2,828,642 
			 Islington Primary Care Trust 4,205,056 4,083,429 
			 Hillingdon Primary Care Trust 1,428,987 1,382,808 
			 Croydon Primary Care Trust 2,621,398 2,525,451 
			 Redbridge Primary Care Trust 1,690,983 1,616,458 
			 Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust 2,477,765 2,370,185 
			 Barnet Primary Care Trust 1,925,810 1,842,574 
			 Southwark Primary Care Trust 5,496,933 5,227,945 
			 Lambeth Primary Care Trust 5,673,357 5,394,600 
			 Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust 4,823,856 4,581,539 
			 Havering Primary Care Trust 1,138,830 1,069,836 
			 City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust 4,745,863 4,455,842 
			 Lewisham Primary Care Trust 4,250,630 3,970,603 
			 Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust 1,785,507 1,667,030 
			 Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust 3,767,782 3,515,473 
			 Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust 3,054,739 2,841,524 
			 Brent Primary Care Trust 3,436,454 3,190,011 
			 Bexley Primary Care Trust 1,229,835 1,132,538 
			 Enfield Primary Care Trust 2,533,191 2,308,077 
			 Newham Primary Care Trust 5,350,955 4,857,637

NHS: Eastbourne

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS  (a) dentists and  (b) patients were registered in Eastbourne constituency in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Table 1 shows information on the number of national health service dentists and the numbers of patients registered with an NHS dentist as at 31 March 1997 to 2006 for the Eastbourne parliamentary constituency, under the old contractual arrangements.
	Under the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, registration data are no longer collected centrally. Instead, there is a new measure on patients seen within the last 24 months. The latest information of numbers of NHS dentists and patients seen within the last 24 months is provided in tables 2 and 3. These data are only available at England, strategic health authority (SHA) and primary care trust (PCT) levels and not at constituency level. The Eastbourne constituency is covered by Eastbourne Downs PCT.
	
		
			  Table 1: General dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS): N umber of NHS dentists and patients registered with an NHS dentist within Eastbourne constituency as at 31 March each year 
			   Dentists  Registrations 
			 1997 51 57,696 
			 1998 54 56,632 
			 1999 52 52,885 
			 2000 51 54,962 
			 2001 50 54,570 
			 2002 55 53,130 
			 2003 61 55,392 
			 2004 57 52,750 
			 2005 60 53,528 
			 2006 64 50,950 
			  Notes:  1. Dentists consist of principals, assistants and trainees. Information on NHS dentistry in the community dental service, in hospitals and in prisons is excluded.  2. A dentist can provide as little or as much NHS treatment as he or she chooses or has agreed within the contract. In some cases an NHS dentist may be listed to carry out NHS work but may not do so for a given period.  3. The data in this report are based on NHS dentists on PCT lists from the BSA.  Sources: The Information Centre for health and social care NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of dentists (performers) on open NHS contracts as at 30 June 2006 and 30 September 2006 
			   Eastbourne Downs PCT 
			 30 June 2006 69 
			 30 September 2006 71 
			  Notes:  1. A performer is defined as a dentist who has been set up on the BSA Payments online (POL) system by the PCT to work under an open contract during the relevant time period.  2. Data provided are a count of the individuals listed as performers on open contracts within a PCT, including orthodontists.  3. A dentist can provide as little or as much NHS treatment as he or she chooses or has agreed within the contract. In some cases an NHS dentist may be listed to carry out NHS work but may not do so for a given period.  4. Data consists of performers in General Dental Services (GDS), Personal Dental Services (PDS) and Trust-led Dental Services.  Sources:  The Information Centre for health and social care. NHS Business Services Authority (BSA). 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Number of patients seen in the two years ending 30 June 2006 and 30 September 2006 
			   Eastbourne Downs PCT 
			 30 June 2006 89,959 
			 30 September 2006 89,597 
			  Sources:  The Information Centre for health and social care NHS Business Services Authority (BSA)

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the outcome of her policy to ensure that overspending NHS organisations achieve run-rate balance in March 2007 by  (a) health economy and  (b) individual NHS organisations; and whether she monitors the monthly income and expenditure of NHS organisations forecasting deficits in 2006-07.

Andy Burnham: In 2006-07, one of the Secretary of State's key financial objectives was to achieve recurrent monthly run rate balance across as many national health service organisations as possible by 31 March. We will assess progress against this target for individual organisations and the NHS as a whole at the end of the year. The income and expenditure of all NHS organisations are monitored on a monthly basis.

NHS: Finance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts she expects to be in financial deficit at the end of the 2006-07 financial year.

Andy Burnham: The report "NHS Financial Performance Quarter Three 2006-07", published on 20 February contains details of the forecast financial outturn position for all NHS organisations. Copies of the report are available in the Library. Final accounts for each national health service organisation will be published in the autumn.

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons her Department produced the NHS investment maps published on 27 February; when her Department was instructed to produce these maps; who in her Department asked for the maps to be produced; and what the overall cost to the public purse was of producing the maps.

Ivan Lewis: The maps were commissioned by Ministers on 14 February, to convert existing data about the hospital and primary care buildings programme into a more accessible format for the NHS and the public.
	The overall cost was £3,200, including set-up costs, which will enable the Department to re-use the templates for different data sets and for a number of different communications vehicles.

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department expects to publish  (a) primary care trust allocations for 2008-09 and  (b) its final report on its review of the weighted capitation formula; what major milestones exist as part of her Department's review of the weighted capitation formula; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The date for the announcement of revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) post 2007-08 has not yet been determined.
	The Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) is reviewing elements of the weighted capitation formula, as is usual before a new round of allocations. ACRA will be making recommendations on changes to the weighted capitation formula to Ministers in the autumn of 2007, in time to inform allocations for 2008-09.

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date strategic health authorities are required to submit 2006-07 month 12 financial performance data for their entire health economies to her Department.

Andy Burnham: Strategic health authorities will send the Department month 12 provisional outturn forecast positions for their organisations on 11 May 2007.

NHS: Finance

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts received funding below the national capitation formula in 2006-07; and by what total amount.

Andy Burnham: In 2006-07, 175 primary care trusts received funding below their weighted capitation targets. This represented £1.1 billion in cash terms.

NHS: ICT

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to maintain incentive payments to general practitioners to use the choose and book system.

Andy Burnham: A decision has yet to be made.

NHS: ICT

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance her Department has issued to local service providers on delivering the integrated NHS national programme for IT; and what requirements have been placed on such providers;
	(2)  how many local service providers have indicated that they will not be delivering the national integrated programme for IT; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The role of national programme local service providers (LSPs) is to deliver information technology systems and services across the national health service within clusters of strategic health authorities, in London (BT), the south (Fujitsu), and the north, midlands and east (CSC). LSPs ensure the integration of existing local systems and, where necessary, implement new systems so that the national applications can be delivered locally, while maintaining common standards. All LSPs have contracted to develop and deliver a fully integrated NHS care record solution, and are in the process of doing so.
	Like all contracts, those between the Department and the LSPs provide for obligations and undertakings on either party. Among the key requirements which the contracts place on the LSPs are that functions and services are shown to work before they are bought. If providers do not deliver to their contractual obligations they are not paid. In this way the cost of non-delivery rests with the supplier, not the taxpayer. So, for example, we have retained extensive rights under the contracts to defer payments, receive compensation for missed milestones and, if necessary, terminate contracts, for failure to achieve required performance or deployment activity. We also reserve the right to consent to the appointment of key personnel of the prime contractor and material subcontractors, and have an interventionist approach to assurance including step-in rights or the appointment of a third party in certain critical circumstances if necessary.
	These arrangements have been devised to secure an optimum balance between cost, risk, incentive and quality of outcome for the provision of the systems and services that we have specified for the benefit of patients, the NHS and taxpayers.

NHS: ICT

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria her Department is employing to determine whether the NHS national programme for IT is successful; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The successes of the national programme are visible every day of the week in hospitals, general practices and pharmacies across the national health service, and the benefits are being experienced by doctors, nurses and, most importantly, patients. On any typical day the national programme currently enables over 100,000 prescriptions to be transmitted electronically, reducing errors and inefficiencies; 16,000 choose and book electronic bookings to be made, putting patients in charge of their care and reducing significantly the numbers not attending outpatient appointments; almost 1.5 million queries to be processed on the patient demographic system, ensuring receipt of around three-quarters of a million letters a year that would otherwise be posted to the wrong address and enabling patient information to be handled more efficiently; over 100,000 NHSmail users, each of whom has an email address for life, to send 1 million secure emails, one third of which contain confidential patient information; 20 new secure broadband connections to be installed; and 33,000 general practitioners (GPs) to use the quality management analysis system (QMAS) to deliver better care to patients under the new GP contract.
	Meanwhile, we are developing plans to respond to a recommendation, made by the National Audit Office in its June 2006 report on the national programme, for the publication of an annual statement quantifying the benefits delivered by all aspects of the programme, set against the costs incurred. The aim is for the first statement, to include information for 2006-07, to be available in summer 2007.

NHS: Procurement

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what mechanisms her Department has available to hold DHL, as holder of the contract to manage supply chain and procurement services for the NHS, to account should the national procurement savings target not be met;
	(2)  what financial incentives DHL receives as part of its contract to manage supply chain and procurement services for the NHS.

Andy Burnham: DHL receives financial remuneration for operating NHS Supply Chain in the form of a transaction fee for every item ordered.
	DHL has a significant incentive to maximise sales volume by lowering selling prices, investing in increasing capacity, and improving product quality and service performance. There are significant contractual constraints on the maximum remuneration payable including a profit cap. Therefore savings flow through to national health service trusts, which in turn ensures benefit to NHS patients by reducing the overall cost of patient care.
	The NHS Business Services Authority manages the outsourced DHL contract to run the business now known as NHS Supply Chain, ensuring compliance with all contractual obligations.

NHS: Surveys

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the NHS GP patient survey of hospital choice provided by Ipsos MORI.

Andy Burnham: The general practitioner patient survey is expected to cost no more than £11 million. The total cost of the hospital choice element of the survey will depend on the number of responses received by Ipsos MORI from patients, but is likely to be in the region of £2.5 million.
	The hospital choice survey will be handed out to patients who have been referred between 16 January and 30 March 2007.

NHS: Training

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with  (a) the Department for Education and Skills and  (b) the Learning and Skills Council on ways to reduce the number of health care staff without a level 2 qualification.

Rosie Winterton: The national health service invests heavily in making training and development opportunities available for people who join NHS organisations at a relatively low skills level.
	The Department is working closely with the Department for Education and Skills, the sectors skills councils for health and social care, employers and other key stakeholders to consider the implications of the Leitch review of skills for the health and social care work force.

Out-patients: Attendance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-patient did-not-attends there were in each quarter since the quarter ending June 1997  (a) in England and  (b) broken down by NHS organisation; and what proportion this represented in each quarter.

Andy Burnham: Information on the number and percentage of did-not-attends (DNAs) for first, follow-up and total consultant-led out-patient attendances has been placed in the Library. Data have been supplied for 1996-07 to the second quarter of 2006-07. However, the data for 1996-07 to 1999-2000 are at England level only and on annual basis only; and the data for 2000-01 are on an annual basis only.

Patient Choice Schemes

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the  (a) introduction and  (b) roll-out of the (i) choice and (ii) choose and book system.

Andy Burnham: The cost of the choose and book computer system will be £64.5 million for system development and related service charges under a core contract with Atos Origin spanning five years. This core contract covered release 1 of the software, delivered on time and to budget on 2 July 2004, a disaster recovery service to ensure resilience and continuity of the service, a helpdesk service to answer user inquiries, and a programme to keep the underlying technologies up to date over the lifetime of the contract. At the end of January 2007, expenditure against this contract was £34.6 million, up from £26.4 million at April 2006.
	A further £39.7 million has been spent on the additional functionality and services that the original business case, approved by HM Treasury in October 2003, envisaged were likely to be required as the system rolls out. These costs are expected to total £79.5 million over the five-year period. To date expenditure has covered releases 2 and 3 of the software, a number of minor enhancements increasing the breadth of functionality in response to user comments and changing policy requirements, the delivery and support of a demonstration environment to facilitate clinical engagement, and an additional test environment to ensure that the new software performs as required. An additional £36 million has been spent on supporting the technical configuration of 109,000 local desktop computers and infrastructure to make them compatible with choose and book and with subsequent national programmes for information technology systems. Training has also been provided to trainers and 50,000 end users. These items were also included in the original business case.

Patient Choice Schemes

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms she has put in place to measure the change in the overall administrative burden of managing referrals referred to in the answer of 13 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1152W, on the choose and book system.

Andy Burnham: None. The choose and book system should reduce the overall administrative burden of managing referrals. For example, it eliminates the need for hospitals to correspond with patients over possible appointment times, and absolves practice staff and patients from the need to chase responses to referrals.

Pre-eclampsia

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) women, broken down by age group, and  (b) babies in England died from pre-eclampsia in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what recent research she has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on this condition; what recent discussions she has had with members of the medical profession on pre-eclampsia; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Data on the number of stillbirths and maternal deaths where pre-eclampsia and eclampsia was identified as the cause of death are shown in the following tables. The number of maternal deaths are also broken down by age group.
	Babies do not die from pre-eclampsia, but from the effects of it. They mainly die from prematurity associated with early delivery. More rarely, death occurs following eclampsia in the mother where, for example, the oxygen to the baby is interrupted or from antepartum haemorrhage associated with severe pre-eclampsia. Mothers who have experienced chronic pre-eclampsia may have babies who are small for gestational age and they are also at risk.
	The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service, and through its health technology assessment programme is undertaking a systematic review of the methods of prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia. The results of the review will be published early next year.
	
		
			  Stillbirths where pre-eclampsia was identified as the maternal condition 
			   Number 
			 2001 119 
			 2002 123 
			 2003 146 
			 2004 134 
			 2005 107 
			  Source: Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health. 
		
	
	
		
			  Maternal deaths certified as due to pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and other related conditions, England and Wales, 2001 to 2005 
			   Number 
			 2001 3 
			 2002 9 
			 2003 6 
			 2004 4 
			 2005 7 
			 Total 29 
			  Source: Office for National Statistics. 
		
	
	
		
			  Deaths by age group, 2001 to 2005 
			  Age group  Number 
			 <20 1 
			 20-24 3 
			 25-29 6 
			 30-34 12 
			 35-39 4 
			 40 and over 3 
			 Total 29 
			  Source: Office for National Statistics.

Primary Care Trusts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts operate referral management schemes; what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of such schemes; what safeguards she has put in place to ensure that referral management schemes operated by the independent sector do not compromise the care offered to patients; whether referral management schemes have the statutory authority to override GP referrals; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Information on how many primary care trusts operate referral management centres is not held centrally. Primary care trusts with their partners, including the independent sector, have been advised that it is good practice to review and where necessary develop existing referral management centres to make sure that they create tangible benefits for patients, and uphold the principles set out in 'Care and resource utilisation: ensuring appropriateness of care', published on 14 December 2006. This is available in the Library and at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicy AndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4141316&chk=iJxRrx
	Referral management centres are not subject to legislative provision.

Rice: Imports

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many shipments containing US long grain rice have been rejected at UK ports of entry for failing to comply with emergency EU legislation on GM Rice (LL601) since August 2005; and what the volume was of each shipment.

Caroline Flint: Commission Decision 578/2006 came into force in August 2006 and required all imports of United States (US) long grain rice into the European Union to be certified free from the unauthorised genetically modified (GM) rice LL601. This Decision was replaced in September by Decision 601/2006, which was amended in November to require such imports to be subject to additional re-testing at the point of import. Two shipments of US long grain rice arriving in the United Kingdom have been rejected, as they arrived in September 2006 without the necessary certificate, and testing at the port indicated the presence of the unauthorised GM rice. These shipments were of 183 and 22 tonnes.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of  (a) HIV,  (b) chlamydia,  (c) gonorrhoea,  (d) syphilis,  (e) genital warts and  (f) genital herpes there have been in England since 1997, (i) in total and (ii) broken down by (A) strategic health authority area and (B) primary care trust area.

Caroline Flint: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Havering

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) 15 to 19-year-olds and  (b) adults over the age of 19 in the Havering Primary Care Trust area were (i) diagnosed with and (ii) tested for sexually transmitted infections in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: Information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in residents in the Havering Primary Care Trust (PCT) area is not available. Information from Barking and Dagenham, which hosts the nearest/adjacent genitorurinary medicine (GUM) clinic has been given in the table.
	Specific sexually transmitted infections diagnosed by age group in the GUM clinic in the Barking and Dagenham PCT, London.
	
		
			  Age group  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 15-19 173 169 230 210 198 
			 >19 625 876 926 903 647 
			  Notes: 1. Information by age-group is not available for attendances at GUM clinics, but is available only for the five major STI diagnoses (uncomplicated chlamydia, uncomplicated gonorrhoea, genital warts, genital herpes and infectious syphilis). 2. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns are for diagnoses made in GUM clinics only. Diagnoses made in other clinical settings, such as general practice, are not recorded in the KC60 dataset. 3. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. For example, individuals may be diagnosed with several co-infections and each diagnosis will be counted separately. 4. Data on patients PCT of residence is not available. 5. Data on patients tested for STI by age-groups is not available.  Source:  KC60 returns, England.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Young People

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported cases there were of sexually transmitted infections in each year between 1999 and 2005 in girls  (a) under the age of 15 and  (b) aged 15 to 18 years.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 January 2007,  Official Report, column 2048W, to the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd).

Skin Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the proportion of all cancers for which skin cancer will account in 2022;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the rate of change in the number of skin cancer cases over the next 15 years.

Rosie Winterton: Departmental analysts estimate that skin cancer as a proportion of all cancers in 2022 will be 3.5 per cent. (this excludes all cases of non-malignant melanoma of the skin).
	Additionally, we estimate that the number of cases skin cancer will increase by 41 per cent. over the next 15 years, from an estimated 7,484 cases in 2007 to an estimated 10,550 in 2022 (this excludes all cases of non-malignant melanoma of the skin).

Slimming: Drugs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of  (a) the availability of slimming pills online and  (b) the effect of online availability on the prevalence of addiction to such pills.

Caroline Flint: Addictive drugs, including psychostimulants such as amphetamines, may be included as a constituent of slimming pills online. There is no direct evidence of the impact on the prevalence of addiction to such pills of the availability of such products online.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency-monitors the online availability of medicines. United Kingdom as based websites which are identified dealing in breach of medicines legislation are referred for appropriate enforcement action. Websites discovered operating illegally outside the European Union are referred to the relevant authority in the country concerned for appropriate action.
	The Department continues to ensure that there is access to credible information about the risks of all drugs, including the possible dangers involved in addiction. In particular, the information campaign, FRANK, communicates the known harmful effects of all illegal and harmful drugs, including amphetamines.

Smoking: Shropshire

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many council staff in Shropshire will be trained to enforce the smoking ban in bars, restaurants and shops; and how much money has been allocated for this training.

Caroline Flint: The local authorities that will be responsible for the enforcement of smoke-free legislation are set out in the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006. As local authorities will enforce smoke-free legislation in a way that is most appropriate to their local areas, no estimate of the number of enforcement officers can be provided, because these decisions will be taken locally.
	The funding allocation to individual local authorities is set out in Local Authority Circular (2006) 17. A copy is available in the Library.
	In addition, the Department is funding centralised training on smoke-free legislation for two members of staff from each local authority with enforcement responsibilities. The training will be delivered by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, and will focus on supportive, non-confrontational and consistent methods to build compliance with smoke-free legislation to create an environment where enforcement action will be minimised.

Social Services

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set for local authorities by central Government regarding social care; and when each target was introduced.

Ivan Lewis: "National Standards, Local Action; Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007-08", published in July 2004, set out a standard-based planning framework for health and social care and standards for national health service health care to be used in planning, commissioning and delivering services.
	The standards set out are focused on the provision of NHS health care, but recognise the need to develop services in a co-ordinated way, taking full account of the responsibilities of other agencies in providing comprehensive care and in particular, the statutory duties of partnership on all NHS bodies and local authorities established under the Health Act 1999 and the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. This introduced requirements on both the NHS and local authorities to work together to achieve the co-operation needed to bring about improvements in health care.
	The following specific targets for 2005 to 2008 were set for local authority social services and social services in partnership with the NHS:
	improve the quality of life and independence of vulnerable older people by supporting them to live in their own homes where possible by:
	increasing the proportion of older people being supported to live in their own home by 1 per cent. annually in 2007 and 2008; and
	increasing by 2008 the proportion of those supported intensively to live at home to 34 per cent. of the total of those being supported at home or in residential care.
	increase the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment programmes by 100 per cent. by 2008 (from a 1998 baseline); and increase year-on-year the proportion of users successfully sustaining or completing treatment programmes.
	and although measured through NHS indicators, social services provide a major contribution to:
	improve health outcomes for people with long-term conditions by offering a personalised care plan for vulnerable people most at risk; and to reduce emergency bed days by 5 per cent. by 2008 (from the expected 2003-04 baseline), through improved care in primary care and community settings for people with long-term conditions.

Turnaround Programme

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Northavon of 15 January 2007,  Official Report, column 930W, on the turnaround programme, which organisations were identified as being a category 1 priority requiring urgent intervention.

Andy Burnham: Between December 2005 and February 2006 KMPG was contracted to undertake an assessment of the financial position of a number of trusts and primary care trusts. It categorised each organisation as follows:
	Immediate priority. Need for urgent intervention to drive turnaround.
	Additional expertise/resource needed to support the turnaround.
	Drive/focus. Maintain high priority of actions.
	Regular challenge of management. Encourage to share what works and deliver easy wins.
	In the summer of 2006, the national programme office for turnaround reviewed the composition of the turnaround cohort in consultation with SHAs. Thus from August 2006 the turnaround cohort was increased to 143, which became 104 organisations following the PCT reconfiguration in October 2006. The organisations were re-categorised as high priority and priority.
	A list of the revised organisations has been placed in the Library.

University Hospital Birmingham: Renewable Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has received on the energy performance and use of renewable energy in the University Hospital Birmingham private finance initiative buildings being erected.

Andy Burnham: The University Hospital Birmingham private finance initiative buildings which are currently being erected have been designed to be energy efficient. Once completed these buildings will be capable of complying with the Government's new energy efficiency performance target and be at least 20 per cent. more efficient than the current hospital buildings. In addition, the private finance initiative contractors are looking into the possibility of using renewable energy sources at this site.

Varicose Veins: Surgery

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many varicose vein operations were carried out in the NHS in each of the last three years; and what the cost was of such operations in each year.

Andy Burnham: The number of varicose vein procedures carried out in the national health service in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 and the cost to the NHS were as follows:
	
		
			   Number of procedures  Estimated cost to the NHS (£ million) 
			 2003-04 42,810 41.6 
			 2004-05 37,340 39.6 
			 2005-06 35,316 40.2 
		
	
	The number of procedures were obtained from the reference costs data 2004, 2005 and 2005-06 and the total costs were calculated using the unit costs from the same source. The estimates:
	cover planned, both day case and elective, admissions for services provided by NHS trusts and primary care trusts but do not include non-elective procedures or procedures carried out in the out-patient setting;
	include the costs of excess bed days;
	exclude any services commissioned or contracted out to non-NHS providers.

West Hertfordshire NHS Trust: Manpower

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from St. Albans City and District Council on financial deficits within West Hertfordshire NHS Trust.

Andy Burnham: The Department is aware of three letters from St Albans city and district council which have been answered.

Written Questions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to answer question 112026, tabled on 24 January 2007 by the hon. Member for Twickenham, on representations from professional bodies about proposals in the Foster Review.

Andy Burnham: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 1 March 2007,  Official Report, column l550W.

Yarl's Wood Detention Centre: Health Services

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure was incurred by Bedfordshire primary care trust and Bedford primary care trust in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2004-05 in treating detainees from the Yarl's Wood Detention Centre; and how much has been incurred in 2006-07.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally. This is a local matter. It is for Bedfordshire primary care trust to commission appropriate services for those detained at Yarl's Wood over and above the primary health care services provided on site by the Home Office.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Departments: St George's Day

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has to celebrate St George's Day.

Angela Smith: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport issues the guidance for flying flags on Government buildings. This includes recommending flying the St George's flag on St George's Day, 23 April, on buildings with two or more flag poles, provided it is flown alongside the Union flag with the Union flag in the superior position. Two of DCLG's HQ buildings, Eland House and Ashdown House, have a second flag pole, and the St George's flag will be flown on these to celebrate St George's day.

Discrimination: Sexuality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made on the proposed sexual orientation discrimination regulations; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Government laid before Parliament the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 on 8 March 2007. The new regulations will protect individuals from discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities, services and education, the management and disposal of premises and the exercise of public functions.

Equality Act 2006

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which gay rights organisations she has met in relation to the Equality Act 2006; and how many such meetings she has had.

Meg Munn: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has had three meetings with Stonewall, a gay rights organisation, regarding the Government's proposals for the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) total public subsidy and  (b) contributions through (i) capital grants, (ii) gifts of land, (iii) dowries and (iv) gap funding made available to registered social landlords have been since 1997; and what amount this represents per home.

Yvette Cooper: Capital grant is the major form of public subsidy provided to registered social landlords (RSLs). The following table shows the capital grant provided to RSLs in 2005-06, and the other public subsidy associated with the grant payments.
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Total public subsidy 1,929 
			 Capital grant 1,795.4 
			 Gifts of land Not available 
			 Dowries (1)— 
			 Gap funding 3.9 
			 (1 )On dowries provided as part of a large scale voluntary transfer I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 8 January 2007,  Official Report, column 370W. We do not hold figures nationally. Details of dowry payments made are matters between the local authority and the registered social landlord. 
		
	
	The average grant per unit of a social rented scheme allocated through the Housing Corporation's affordable housing programme in 2005-06 was around £62,000. A further average £700 was provided through other public subsidy for these schemes.
	In 2005-06 the Department entered into five new gap funding arrangements with registered social landlords who received negative value housing stock under large scale voluntary transfer arrangements. The 2005-06 gap funding payments of £3.9 million averaged £510 per property transferred to those five RSLs in that year. A total of 19 large scale voluntary transfers were completed in 2005-06.
	Information on the average grant per RSL home funded by English Partnerships funding is not available.

Housing: Inspections

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department takes to ensure that applicants to become home inspectors are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Yvette Cooper: A Criminal Records Bureau check is a mandatory requirement that must be undertaken by all potential home inspectors when they apply to join a home inspector certification scheme.

Housing: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new affordable houses were built in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The numbers of affordable homes provided in Lancashire in each of the last five years are tabulated as follows. Affordable housing includes social rent, low cost home ownership and other sub-market rental products. Some affordable housing units are provided through the acquisition and refurbishment of dwellings purchased on the open market and these figures are also included.
	
		
			  Affordable homes provided: Lancashire 
			   Affordable homes provided( 1) 
			 2001-02 534 
			 2002-03 623 
			 2003-04 432 
			 2004-05 412 
			 2005-06 547 
			 (1) Includes new build and acquisitions.  Source:  Housing Corporation, statistical returns from local authorities. 
		
	
	Lancashire has been defined to include the following local authorities: Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Wyre, Blackpool (unitary) and Blackburn with Darwen (unitary).

Housing: Standards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information she has on the standard assessment procedure (SAP) rating of homes, broken down by tenure, in  (a) 1996,  (b) 2001 and  (c) the latest period for which figures are available; what the minimum SAP rating is to achieve the decent homes standard; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The English House Condition Survey (EHCS) reports for 1996, 2001 and 2004 give details of average SAP ratings for dwellings in England, broken down by dwelling type, age and tenure. Copies of these reports are available in the Library of the House, or from the Communities and Local Government website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/ehcs
	There is no specific SAP rating required by the decent homes standard. However, in order for a home to be decent it must have both efficient heating and effective insulation, and must be free of category 1 hazards under the housing health and safety rating system, including hazards from cold.
	An SAP rating of less than 35 (using the 2001 SAP methodology) has been established as a proxy for the likely presence of a category 1 hazard from excess cold.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much funding each neighbourhood renewal area in England received directly from her Department and its predecessor to support regeneration projects in each year from 2001-02 to 2005-06; what funding has been allocated to each local authority for the same purpose in 2006-07 and 2007-08; to which programmes within each neighbourhood renewal area funding has been allocated; and how much was allocated to each programme.

Phil Woolas: pursuant to the reply, 17 January 2007, Official Report, c. 1218W
	The Department for Communities and Local Government and its predecessors, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), provided £3.208 billion in direct funding to 90 neighbourhood renewal areas in England from 2001-02 to 2005-06; and has allocated £2.224 billion for the period 2006-07 to 2007-08. Total funding for the period 2001-02 to 2007-08 is £5.433 billion. A detailed breakdown of funding provided to each neighbourhood renewal area and the allocations for each local authority and each programme have been placed in the Library of the House.

Overcrowding: Eastbourne

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) households and  (b) children are living in overcrowded housing in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex.

Yvette Cooper: There are two measures of overcrowding—the statutory definition and the bedroom standard.
	Using the bedroom standard, the only recent estimate of the number of overcrowded households in East Sussex is 4,000. This is from an ad hoc report based on combined data from both the Survey of English Housing and the Department for Work and Pensions' Family Resources Survey for the three years 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03.
	Reliable estimates for the number of children living in overcrowded accommodation in East Sussex are not available. Separate data for Eastbourne are also not available.
	Estimates based on the statutory standard are not available because the underlying data are not collected systematically. A one-off estimate was made in 2004 that approximately 20,000 households across the whole of England were in conditions of overcrowding that breached the statutory standard. This estimate was based on data from the Survey of English Housing for the period 2000-01 to 2002-03 and from the 2001 English House Condition Survey. Equivalent estimates for East Sussex and Eastbourne are not available.

Public Footpaths

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it a requirement for planning authorities to consult the Ramblers Association and other recognised interest groups when planning applications are made under the Town and Country Planning Acts which include proposals for the creation of new public footpaths, cycleways and bridle paths.

Yvette Cooper: Local planning authorities are already required to inform these groups of changes to rights of way by sending them copies of the statutory notices of the relevant orders. The orders are the Town and Country Planning (Public Path Orders) Regulations 1993, the Public Path Orders Regulations 1993, the Wildlife and Countryside (Definitive Maps and Statements) Regulations 1993 and the Rail Crossing Extinguishment and Diversion Orders Regulations 1993.
	Department of the Environment circular 2/93 "Public Rights of Way" advised local authorities that they should also consult these groups before making these orders. We have no evidence that these long-standing arrangements are not working in practice.
	My Department intends, however, to consult on matters relating to statutory consultees on planning applications later this year, and, it will be open to the Ramblers Association and other rights of way interests to make representations about their status as consultees.

Public Houses

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many building preservation notices were placed on public houses in each of the last three years; and if she will list them;
	(2)  how many successful appeals there were against building preservation notices placed on public houses in each of the last three years; and if she will list them.

Yvette Cooper: We have identified one public house, the Old Parr's Head in the London borough of Islington, which has been the subject of a building preservation notice over the last three years. That case did not result in the building being added to the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. There is no procedure for appealing against building preservation notices.

Regeneration: Finance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the name is of each organisation which has received funding from the Single Pot.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	Regional development agencies annually spend in excess of £1.7 billion of Single Pot funding with over 6,000 external organisations to deliver a variety of initiatives, services, and projects. The details of these transactions are not held centrally and so further information cannot be given owing to disproportionate costs.

Tattooing: Standards

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which councils in the UK operate a system of minimum standards and registration for tattoo parlours.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	Local authorities in England have powers to regulate businesses providing tattooing under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. The 1982 Act enables local authorities to require the registration of tattooing practitioners and premises and to introduce local byelaws about the hygiene of the practitioner, premises and equipment used.
	Local tattooing byelaws are confirmed by the Secretary of State. However, information about those councils in England which have had local tattooing byelaws confirmed could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, as it would involve identifying, obtaining and examining departmental records dating back to 1982.
	Local authorities in London generally use powers in private legislation to regulate tattooing businesses—the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981 or the London Local Authorities Act 1991. Therefore, the Department does not hold the information requested relating to London local authorities.
	Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may be requested from the relevant administrations.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2006,  Official Report, column 474W, on the Valuation Office Agency, if she will give an example of a feature associated with a dwelling currently coded with WK that has value significance.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the VOA website at
	www.voa.gov.uk.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Poverty

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce the level of child poverty in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Work is the most sustainable route out of poverty. With record numbers of people in work, we are making good progress. This includes the Gentleman's constituency where there is an 82 per cent. employment rate—which is even better than the UK average.

Departmental Office Closures

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Chancellor of the Exchequer the effect of the closure of their Department's offices in North Northamptonshire on numbers of jobseeker's allowance claims in the area.

Jim Murphy: The number on JSA has fallen by a quarter in Wellingborough since May 1997. I have no current plans to meet the Home Secretary or the Chancellor to discuss these matters.

Personal Accounts

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what responses he has received to his Command Paper, "Personal accounts: a new way to save".

James Purnell: The consultation on the detailed proposals set out in the White Paper ends on 20 March. The proposal to establish personal accounts has been broadly welcomed in this House and by many others. The contribution on our detailed proposals ends next week. In light of these responses it is our intention to bring forward legislation in the next parliamentary session.

Pensions

George Young: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department has made available to those who lost occupational pensions prior to the introduction of the pensions protection fund.

James Purnell: The Pensions Act 2004 puts in place a range of measures to provide support, advice and protection to schemes and to scheme members.
	In particular, the financial assistance scheme provides support for members of defined benefit occupational pension schemes which started to wind up, underfunded, between 1 January 1997 and 5 April 2005.

Pensions

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral statement in response to an intervention by the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead of 16 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 668-69, on the Pensions Bill, if he will ensure that personal accounts in which individuals are auto-enrolled are by default subject to lifestyling; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: There will be a requirement for personal accounts to include a default investment fund for members who do not exercise an investment choice. The default investment fund will be lifestyled to ensure that risk is reduced as members approach retirement.
	Other investment choices will exist for members and will be determined by the executive delivery authority and, subsequently, the personal accounts governing body, using their skills, expertise and consideration of the pension's environment. These additional investment choices will take into account the needs of members and may or may not include lifestyling.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he expects survivors' benefits to be arranged as an aspect of the personal accounts in the planned pension reform; in what circumstances and to whom a survivor's benefit will be paid; in what circumstances it would not be paid; what would happen to an individual's personal account money in those circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: Personal accounts will be a multi-employer occupational pension scheme. Arrangements for dealing with survivors' and dependants' benefits will be a matter for the scheme rules, as is the case for other occupational pensions, and will need to operate within the existing legal framework.

Benefits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the claimant off-flow rates from  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) severe disability allowance were in each of the last 15 years, broken down by reason for leaving the benefit;
	(2)  how many payments for  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) severe disability allowance payments were terminated (i) as a result of employment and (ii) for other reasons, broken down by reason in (A) each London borough and (B) the UK in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of homes in each Government office region which had not received leaflets on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning by December 2006.

Anne McGuire: This information is not available in the format requested.
	However, research commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive in 2006 from University college London suggests that some 45 per cent. of households have received no information about gas safety issues. The Government have called on the gas industry to show leadership in raising public awareness of gas safety issues among the public.

Children: Maintenance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the Child Support Agency determines child maintenance amounts for payments between parents who are subject to a joint residency order with regard to the care of their child.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 12 March 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Child Support Agency determines child maintenance amounts for payments between parents who are subject to a Joint Residency Order with regard to the care of their child.
	For a case under old rules where, a non-resident parent has care for a child for at least 104 nights a year (that is, two nights a week on average), an allowance can be made in the maintenance formula for sharing the care of that child. The maintenance payment due to the child is then reduced pro-rate by the number of nights a week the child stays with him.
	For a shared-care case under the new rules, if a non-resident parent provides overnight care for a child for at least 52 nights a year, an adjustment is also made to the amount of child maintenance due.
	Child maintenance is not reduced if the child stays with the non-resident parent for less than 52 nights a year.
	If the care of the child is shared on a 50 per cent. basis, the entitlement to Child Benefit will determine who the parent with care is for child maintenance purposes.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends, under the system proposed in the White Paper 'A new system of child maintenance', that child maintenance cases where both parents' names appear on the birth certificate will be given priority over cases where the father is unknown.

James Plaskitt: There are no plans to give priority to child maintenance cases where both parents' names appear on the birth certificate. However, as now, a person who applies for child maintenance should provide sufficient information to identify the non- resident parent.

Children: Maintenance

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review the effectiveness of data collection and reporting systems at the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 12 March 2007: 
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the effectiveness of data collection and reporting systems at the Child Support Agency.
	Until 2005, the Agency's IT difficulties meant that robust information regarding cases on the new computer system was unavailable. In order to resolve these difficulties, the Agency begun working with the Department's Information Directorate (responsible for National Statistics and Business Information) to revise and quality assure statistical data. Since then, much progress has been made.
	Under the Operational Improvement Plan the management information produced by the Child Support Agency is expanding and improving. Additional tables have been made available in each successive Quarterly Summary Statistics report since September 2005, and this report now provides a much fuller picture of the Agency's operations than has been available in the past.
	The Agency's management information and data reporting is also undergoing an increasingly robust scrutiny process. Whilst this has resulted in the recalculation of some information previously reported, it represents an important part of a process to ensure the Child Support Agency has a highly effective process of data collection and reporting.
	The Child Support Agencies Quarterly Summary Statistics can be accessed online at www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress his Department is making on achieving targets set out for the Child Support Agency under the operational improvement plan.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 12 March 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department is making on achieving targets set out for the Child Support Agency under the Operational Improvement Plan.
	The initial phase of the Operational Improvement Plan has focused on the organizational and operational restructuring of the Agency, and the training of our people to increase our capacity and capability. No commitments were made for the first year but once this phase is complete we can expect to see more clearly the benefits of the Plan.
	However, even now early results show improvements in several key areas and more money is already getting to more children; at the end of December 2006 compared with a year ago the Agency was providing:
	More money for more children—58,000 more children were in receipt of maintenance or had a maintenance-direct arrangement in place.
	A higher proportion of non-resident parents paying or using maintenance direct—59 per cent of new scheme cases with a liability made a payment or arranged Maintenance Direct (up from 54 per cent)
	A fall in uncleared applications of 13 per cent (across both schemes) since March 2006 which in the last three months have been at their lowest since comparable records began in May 1999.
	Applications cleared more quickly: 55 per cent within twelve weeks (up from 49 per cent and meeting target level for March 2007) and 74 per cent within six months (up from 64 per cent)
	Improving Client Service—The Agency answered 97 per cent of queued calls over 12 months (up from 90 per cent)
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Departments: Appeals

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many independent bodies existed to hear appeals on decisions made by his Department and its executive agencies in  (a) 1997-98,  (b) 2001-02 and  (c) 2005-06; and how many there have been in 2006-07 to date.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			   Independent bodies hearing appeals against decisions made by DWP agencies 
			 1997-98 Social Security Appeal Tribunal 
			  Medical Appeal Tribunal 
			  Disability Appeal Tribunal 
			  Child Support Appeal Tribunal 
			  Vaccine Damage Tribunal 
			  Pensions Appeal Tribunal (England and Wales) 
			  Pensions Appeal Tribunal (Scotland) 
			   
			 2001-02 Appeal Tribunals 
			  Pensions Appeal Tribunal (England and Wales)(1) 
			  Pensions Appeal Tribunal (Scotland)(1) 
			 2005-06 Appeal Tribunals 
			   
			 2006-07 Appeal Tribunals 
			 (1) Responsibility for the administration of the War Pensions Agency transferred to the Ministry of Defence on 11 June 2001.

Departments: Complaints

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints were received by his Department and its executive agencies in  (a) 1997-98,  (b) 2001-02 and  (c) 2005-06; and how many have been received in 2006-07 to date.

Anne McGuire: Centrally, the Department for Work and Pensions does not separately identify complaints from other forms of correspondence. Each of the Department's agencies and customer facing units has its own complaint handling procedures.
	Jobcentre Plus was formed in 2001, from the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service. Information is not available from Jobcentre Plus for 1997-98 and 2001-02. The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Complaints received by Jobcentre Plus in Great Britain 
			   Number 
			 2005-06 33,350 
			 2006-07 (to January 2007) 31,635 
		
	
	The Pension Service was formed in April 2002. Information is not available from the Pension Service prior to this time. The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Complaints received by the Pension Service in Great Britain 
			   Number 
			 2005-06 21,790 
			 2006-07 (to January 2007) 15,042 
			  Note:  The figure for 2006-07 includes 502 complaints from hon. Members, since October 2006. No such breakdown is available for previous years. 
		
	
	The Disability and Carers Service was first formed in 2002 as the Disability and Carers Division; it became an agency in November 2004. Information is not available from the Disability and Carers Service prior to January 2002. The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Complaints received by the Disability and Carers Service in  Great Britain 
			   Number 
			 January to March 2002 (4(th) quarter) 2,240 
			 2005-06 6,732 
			 2006-07 (to December 2006) 6,594 
			  Note:  The figure for 2005-06 includes 2,804 complaints from hon. Members; the figure for 2006-07 includes 2,274 complaints from hon. Members. No such breakdown is available for previous periods. 
		
	
	The Department's Debt Management organisation was established in 2001 and became fully operational in February 2006. Information is not available from Debt Management prior to July 2005. The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Complaints received by DWP Debt Management in Great Britain 
			   Number 
			 July 2005 to March 2006 1,639 
			 April 2006 to January 2007 2,319 
		
	
	The Child Support Agency was formed in 1993 as an executive agency of the Department of Social Security; it became an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions on its formation in June 2001. The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Complaints received by Child Support Agency in Great Britain 
			   Number 
			 1997-98 27,875 
			 2001-02 27,735 
			 2005-06 54,898 
			 2006-07 (to January 2007) 37,408

Departments: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which external consultants were used by  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies in relation to private finance initiatives in 2005-06; and what the (i) nature and (ii) cost of the work was in each case.

Anne McGuire: The Department has one existing private finance initiative contract, let in 1998 and expanded in 2003, with Land Securities Trillium (LST) for the provision of fully serviced accommodation. To support the Department in the management of this complex PFI contract, external consultants have been commissioned to provide professional advice. The costs incurred by the Department in year 2005-6 are described in the table.
	
		
			  External consultants  Nature of the work  Cost of the work in 2005-06 (£) 
			 Lovells. To provide legal advice on the contract and contractual interpretation 221,151 
			 Drivers Jonas — National Property and Facilities Management Advisers To provide support on the departmental Estate Strategy, assurance on individual property transactions and support on specific commercial issues. 1,120,586 
			 Parsons Brinckerhoff -Auditors To provide a level of assurance on performance, quality and service delivery under the direction of Department's Contract Management team. 300,345

Departments: Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the expenditure has been on  (a) managing his Department's corporate identity and  (b) branding in each year since 1997-98.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment, and the Employment Service. Information prior to 2001 is not held centrally and can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	To accommodate this change, the Department's corporate identity needed to be developed. This work included new branding design, staff research and consultation, and the application of the logos to key items such as stationery, building signs and electronic media. This cost for this was £232,044.
	A review of our corporate identity was undertaken in 2004, which included a branding review. This was to support the organisational design with a new corporate image. The cost of this review was £92,751, and included design, product management and production.
	We have this last year developed easy to understand guidelines for use by staff and also external organisations, so that the integrity of the Department's identity is upheld where it is used or displayed. The cost of the development and production of these guidelines has been £45,663.

Disability Allowances

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of  (a) incapacity benefit,  (b) disability living allowance and  (c) severe disablement allowance there were in each year since its introduction, broken down by type of disability; and what the expenditure was in each case in each year.

Anne McGuire: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Financial Assistance Scheme: Take-up

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people have registered for assistance under the financial assistance scheme;
	(2)  how much has been paid out by the financial assistance scheme;
	(3)  how many people are receiving payments from the financial assistance scheme.

James Purnell: It is for the trustees of the pension schemes to apply for assistance rather than individual members. Of 995 schemes that have been notified to FAS, 659 have subsequently qualified. 'Notification' of a scheme occurs when trustees or members formally notify FAS of their scheme's basic details, after which a scheme can then be considered for FAS qualification. We estimate that 40,000 members of qualified schemes will be eligible for FAS. The vast majority of these potential recipients have yet to reach payment age and our best estimate is that perhaps 9,000 people are already 65.
	On the basis of operational data to the end of December, we estimate that trustees have made applications for assistance for 1,900 people. We are only able to pay them once the trustees have provided acceptable data on the members, which is taking longer than we had hoped.
	As at 23 February 2007 the financial assistance scheme was making payments to 967 qualifying members. A further 79 will be paid as soon as they have confirmed their personal details. This gives a total of 1,046 members who have been assessed as eligible for assistance.
	As at 23 February 2007 payments had totalled £3,421,457 gross, (£2,656,622 net).

Housing Benefit

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many requests to suspend the direct payment of local housing allowance to tenants have been received by local authorities in the 18 pathfinder areas; how many have resulted in the suspension of direct payments to tenants; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Housing: Repossession Orders

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many households in the private sector in each of the 18 Pathfinder areas have  (a) accrued arrears,  (b) been served with a notice of possession and  (c) been evicted; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what proportion of local housing allowance claimants in each of the 18 Pathfinder areas have  (a) accrued arrears,  (b) been served a notice of possession and  (c) been evicted; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Incapacity Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of new incapacity benefit claims were for reasons of mental ill health in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Murphy: In the year to May 2006, 34.5 per cent. of all new incapacity benefit claimants cited mental and behavioural conditions as the primary reason for their claim.
	We are working with stakeholders as part of our welfare reform plans to address the many barriers people with mental health conditions still face in playing their full role in the economy and the workplace.

Incapacity Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants ceased to claim the benefit in each year from 1976-77 to 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: There is a strong relationship between on-flows and off-flows from incapacity benefit, and generally, both have been falling year on year as a proportion of the caseload. So falling off-flows are a result of falling on-flows.
	Information is not available prior to 1996. The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit terminations in the year ending February each year as a proportion of the caseload 
			   Percentage 
			 1996 38.5 
			 1997 39.4 
			 1998 38.8 
			 1999 36.6 
			 2000 35.4 
			 2001 29.3 
			 2002 29.1 
			 2003 27.9 
			 2004 27.5 
			 2005 27.5 
			 2006 24.6 
			  Notes: 1.These figures have been updated to include late notified terminations, including terminations for retirement pension. 2. All figures have been revised, and may be subject to further change; Figures prior to 2004 are subject to minor changes. Figures for 2004 include fewer late notifications than previous quarters and will be subject to greater change in future. Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters. For illustration purposes, total terminations for May 2004 increased by 33 per cent. in the year following their initial release.  Source: 5 per cent. Terminations dataset and 100 per cent. WPLS

Incapacity Benefit

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated on-flows for incapacity benefits are for each year to 2019-20, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) the age groups (i) 18 to 29, (ii) 30 to 39, (iii) 40 to 49, (iv) 50 to 59 and (v) 60 years and over.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the following table
	.
	
		
			  Projected number of on-flows to Incapacity Benefit, 2005-06 to 2019-20, Great Britain, by age group 
			  Thousand 
			   16-17yrs  18-29yrs  30-39yrs  40-49yrs  50-59yrs  60yrs and over  All age groups 
			 2005-06 10 150 130 140 150 30 610 
			 2006-07 10 150 120 140 140 30 590 
			 2008-09 10 150 110 140 130 30 570 
			 2009-10 10 140 110 130 130 30 560 
			 2010-11 10 140 110 140 130 30 560 
			 2011-12 10 150 110 140 130 50 580 
			 2012-13 10 150 110 140 130 50 580 
			 2013-14 10 150 110 140 140 50 590 
			 2014-15 10 150 110 130 140 50 590 
			 2015-16 10 150 110 130 140 60 600 
			 2016-17 10 150 110 130 140 60 600 
			 2017-18 10 150 110 130 150 60 610 
			 2018-19 10 140 120 120 150 70 610 
			 2019-20 10 140 120 120 150 70 620 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000; totals may not sum due to rounding.  2. Figures are consistent with latest estimated caseloads. These are based on pre-Budget report forecasts to 2007-08, and long-term projections consistent with the long-term public finance report from 2008-09 onwards; the projections are illustrative based on the continuation of current policy combined with the equalisation of state pension age. See http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/ib_caseload.xls  3. Figures are subject to future revisions.  4. These projections do not take into account any of the proposed policy changes in the papers entitled: "A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work", or "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system."

Incapacity Benefit

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals who would otherwise qualify for incapacity benefit are affected by  (a) whole and  (b) partial withdrawal of benefit owing to their receipt of an occupational pension; and what the total annual benefit forgone from this clawback was in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Number of incapacity benefit claimants whose benefit payable is reduced as a result of receiving income from an occupational pension and associated total benefit expenditure forgone 
			   Claimants (thousand)  Annual incapacity benefit foregone (£ million—2006-07 prices) 
			 2001-02 4 5 
			 2002-03 13 17 
			 2003-04 22 29 
			 2004-05 27 38 
			 2005-06 33 45 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of incapacity benefit claimants whose benefit payable is reduced to zero as a result of receiving income from an occupational pension and associated total benefit expenditure forgone 
			   Claimants (thousand)  Annual incapacity benefit foregone (£ million—2006-07 prices) 
			 2001-02 1 4 
			 2002-03 4 13 
			 2003-04 5 20 
			 2004-05 7 25 
			 2005-06 8 29 
			  Notes: 1. Figures for claimants are rounded to the nearest thousand and expenditure to the nearest million. 2. Income from occupational pension schemes was introduced in the assessment of entitlement to incapacity benefit in April 2001.  Source: The DWP Quarterly Statistical Enquiry data, the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and the DWP medium-term benefit expenditure tables

Incapacity Benefit

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit recipients in each Government region experienced  (a) mental and behavioural and  (b) physical disorders in each year since 1997, broken down by type of disorder.

Anne McGuire: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Jobcentre Plus

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to answer of 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1630W, on Jobcentre Plus, what methodology the Department used to generate the estimates.

Anne McGuire: Forecasts of incapacity benefits are constructed by extending historic patterns in benefit on-flows and off-flows into the future. Events such as entering the benefit, moving between rates, gaining additional entitlements and leaving the benefit are simulated on the basis past trends examined by age and gender. Assumptions covering these events give rise to a predicted future caseload.

Jobseekers Allowance: Disqualification

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) fixed and  (b) varied length referrals were made to jobseeker's allowance claimants in each quarter since 1997; and how many of each type of referral resulted in a benefit sanction being imposed in each quarter.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 26 February 2007
	Jobseeker's allowance sanctions information is not available prior to April 2000. The available information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Number of referrals made for fixed length sanctions on jobseeker's allowance; Great Britain 
			  Quarter ending, in which decision was made  Number of referrals  Number of referrals which resulted in a sanction 
			 April-May 2000 11,120 5,650 
			 August 2000 16,610 8,380 
			 November 2000 17,930 8,470 
			 February 2001 17,140 8,330 
			 May 2001 17,890 8,620 
			 August 2001 17,790 8,380 
			 November 2001 17,160 7,790 
			 February 2002 15,250 7,040 
			 May 2002 18,480 8,530 
			 August 2002 18,480 8,630 
			 November 2002 17,550 8,250 
			 February 2003 15,540 7,660 
			 May 2003 16,590 8,250 
			 August 2003 16,890 8,530 
			 November 2003 15,900 7,760 
			 February 2004 14,340 7,010 
			 May 2004 14,470 7,170 
			 August 2004 15,390 7,580 
			 November 2004 15,430 7,530 
			 February 2005 13,840 7,020 
			 May 2005 15,120 7,680 
			 August 2005 14,500 7,520 
			 November 2005 13,590 7,040 
			 February 2006 13,310 6,960 
			 May 2006 15,700 8,340 
			 August 2006 17,020 8,750 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of referrals made for variable length sanctions on jobseeker's allowance; Great Britain 
			  Quarter ending, in which decision was made  Number of referrals  Number of referrals which resulted in a sanction 
			 April-May 2000 75,350 18,090 
			 August 2000 124,530 29,070 
			 November 2000 127,780 28,480 
			 February 2001 117,740 28,320 
			 May 2001 117,160 29,140 
			 August 2001 122,310 29,990 
			 November 2001 113,330 28,230 
			 February 2002 102,750 26,230 
			 May 2002 114,480 29,700 
			 August 2002 114,580 30,080 
			 November 2002 121,200 31,290 
			 February 2003 106,920 28,480 
			 May 2003 95,710 26,520 
			 August 2003 88,410 24,500 
			 November 2003 89,840 23,890 
			 February 2004 87,120 23,340 
			 May 2004 84,470 23,200 
			 August 2004 82,340 22,120 
			 November 2004 83,000 21,320 
			 February 2005 74,130 19,690 
			 May 2005 76,000 20,620 
			 August 2005 71,590 19,190 
			 November 2005 68,770 17,950 
			 February 2006 61,630 16,000 
			 May 2006 64,370 16,080 
			 August 2006 59,790 14,730 
			  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: Information Directorate: JSA Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database; data are cumulative from April 2000 to current data extract date.

Lone Parents: Employment

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what evidence his Department has collected on the barriers to work for lone parents with children aged over 11.

Jim Murphy: A large majority of lone parents say that they want to work. We want to provide lone parents with the help and support to enable them to do so. We understand that in order to do this we need to address the barriers that lone parents face in returning to work. The Department collects a range of evidence on the choices and constraints faced by lone parents in making decisions about paid work. Many of these have also been raised in two independent reviews by Lisa Marker and David Freud. We will need to consider these reports carefully before we move ahead.

New Deal

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of new deal leavers entered sustained, unsubsidised jobs in each year since the scheme began.

Jim Murphy: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			   Percentage of leavers to sustained unsubsidised employment from new deal 
			   New deal for young people  New deal 25 plus  New deal for lone parents 
			 1998 51 — 9 
			 1999 45 — 20 
			 2000 43 — 31 
			 2001 42 32 35 
			 2002 40 28 35 
			 2003 40 27 31 
			 2004 39 30 30 
			 2005 34 28 28 
			  Notes: 1. Years are calendar years. 2. Latest complete year information is to December 2005. 3. The percentages in the table are calculated from all those who leave the programme, regardless of whether they directly enter employment. 4. A person is defined as leaving new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus to sustained, unsubsidised, employment if they do not return to claim jobseeker's allowance within 13 weeks. 5. Information for leavers from new deal 25 plus is only available from April 2001 onwards. 6. A person is defined as leaving new deal for lone parents to sustained, unsubsidised, employment if they have gained a job that lasts at least 13 weeks, as measured within the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. 7. A measure of sustainability is not available for new deal for partners and new deal 50 plus. 8. Although a measure of sustainability is available for new deal for disabled people (NDDP), information is not available on whether the immediate destination of leavers from NDDP is to sustained, unsubsidised, employment.  9. Start dates for each programme are: New Deal for Young People: January 1998; New Deal 25 Plus: July 1998; New Deal for Lone Parents: October 1998.  Source:  Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions.

Personal Accounts Consultation

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have responded to the personal accounts consultation process.

James Purnell: We received around 350 responses to the consultation on the May 2006 White Paper, "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system". The range of measures set out in this document included proposals on personal accounts.
	Further proposals for personal accounts were set out in the December White Paper "Personal accounts: a new way to save". The formal consultation on this is due to end on 20 March. As of 2 February we have so far received a total of nine responses; six from business and three from individuals.
	However, the consultation is still under way and we expect the majority of responses to come in close to the consultation deadline.

Personal Income

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the median income for a  (a) man and  (b) woman aged (i) 21 to 25, (ii) 25 to 30, (iii) 30 to 40, (iv) 40 to 50, (v) 50 to 60, (vi) 60 to 65, (vii) 65 to 75, (viii) 75 to 85 and (ix) over 85 was in each year since 1980.

Jim Murphy: Information on individual earnings and income for Great Britain is available in the "Individual Income 1996-97 to 2004-05" publication.
	Consistent figures for male and female median incomes are not available prior to 1996-97. Details of median income from 1996-97 to 2004-05 for men and women are shown in the following tables:
	
		
			  Median total individual income, by age-band from 1996-97 to 2004-05—Men (£ per week at 2004-05 prices) 
			   16-20  21-25  26-30  31-40  41-50  51-60  61- 65  66-75  76-85  86 and over 
			 1996-97 89 215 328 373 397 308 208 172 136 134 
			 1997-98 98 227 328 381 400 324 222 168 140 137 
			 1998-99 114 230 341 391 392 328 221 176 140 138 
			 1999-2000 112 231 339 398 403 343 221 181 152 142 
			 2000-01 130 250 362 419 411 340 234 192 155 147 
			 2001-02 125 248 355 424 429 354 244 196 165 147 
			 2002-03 125 246 359 422 431 360 241 201 172 162 
			 2003-04 114 242 355 426 430 354 249 207 174 181 
			 2004-05 98 253 360 428 439 374 252 211 183 172 
			  Source:  Family Resources Survey—Individual Incomes 
		
	
	
		
			  Median total individual income, by age-band from 1996-97 to 2004-05—Women (£ per week at 2004-05 prices) 
			   16-20  21-25  26-30  31-40  41-50  51-60  61-65  66-75  76-85  86 and over 
			 1996-97 87 153 182 163 178 120 89 91 95 108 
			 1997-98 88 164 185 166 172 128 99 89 97 112 
			 1998-99 95 165 209 181 183 127 102 94 101 118 
			 1999-2000 100 179 212 195 188 139 104 98 104 123 
			 2000-01 106 186 226 200 204 130 102 100 106 116 
			 2001-02 106 192 236 214 214 146 111 104 111 130 
			 2002-03 100 198 243 223 213 158 116 108 113 129 
			 2003-04 99 197 265 230 230 166 118 112 118 141 
			 2004-05 99 206 255 233 236 169 129 113 131 143 
			  Source:  Family Resources Survey—Individual Incomes

Poverty: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of children were living below the poverty line in Lancashire in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Murphy: The information requested is not available.
	Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in "Households Below Average Income statistical report 1994/95-2004/05". The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income. Data are not available below regional level so we are not able to provide figures for Lancashire.

Remploy

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made with the review of Remploy.

Anne McGuire: To help develop a five-year restructuring plan the Remploy Board has established a joint working group with the consortium of trade unions, has held informal discussions with other key stakeholders, and is considering proposals for modernising the company to help greater numbers of disabled people into work.

Social Security Benefits: Pensions

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether personal pension accounts will be disregarded for capital assessments in income-related benefits; at what age income from personal pension accounts will be attributed in the assessment of income-related benefits; and what the method of assessment will be of proposed rate of income attribution.

James Purnell: The introduction of personal accounts will extend the benefits of private pension saving to those on moderate to low income who do not have access to a good employer pension scheme. Together with the reforms to the state pension system which will provide a solid foundation on which to build, this is designed to encourage and support individuals in saving for their retirement.
	Personal accounts will be designed to complement rather than compete with existing successful pension provision. We therefore think it is right that funds from all savings or pensions vehicles are treated in the same way, and there are no plans to treat funds associated with personal accounts differently.
	The rules, which will also apply to personal accounts, allow funds held under a personal pension scheme by a customer or partner to be disregarded in the calculation of a customer's capital in income-related benefits—income support, jobseeker's allowance (income-based) housing benefit, council tax benefit and pension credit-until the holder reaches the age of 60.
	If at any age the holder receives income from the personal pension scheme, that income will be taken fully into account in the assessment of entitlement to an income-related benefit.
	However, if a customer aged 60 or over fails to claim the income to which he would be entitled or fails to purchase an annuity with the funds available, the customer will be treated as possessing the amount of income forgone from the date on which it could have been expected to be claimed.
	Up to 25 per cent. of any personal pension can be taken as a lump sum, and if this option is taken, that lump sum will be treated as capital for the purposes of income related support in the normal way.
	Those with savings pots below £15,000 may take advantage of the trivial commutation rules and take their full savings pot as a taxable lump sum. When someone opts to do that, the lump sum will be subject to the normal capital rules within the income- related benefits.

Social Security Benefits: Poverty

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of how many and what percentage of eligible but not receiving claimants for  (a) pension credit,  (b) incapacity benefit,  (c) jobseeker's allowance and  (d) council tax benefit are (i) living below the 60 per cent. relative poverty line and (ii) in each income decile.

Jim Murphy: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Estimates of the percentage of eligible non-recipients of pension credit, jobseeker's allowance (income-based) and council tax benefit living below the 60 per cent. of contemporary median income, and the proportions in each quintile of the income distribution, can be found in the DWP report entitled "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2004/2005". Copies of the publication are available in the Library.
	Information on incapacity benefit is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Take-up

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which regions there is low take-up of  (a) pension credit,  (b) council tax benefit and  (c) housing benefit; and what steps are being taken to increase take-up in such regions.

James Plaskitt: Estimates of take-up are not available below the level of Great Britain. The latest estimates of the take-up of the main income-related benefits— income support, pension credit, housing benefit- council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance (income-based) in Great Britain—can be found in the DWP report entitled "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2004/2005". Copies of the publication are available in the Library.
	We are doing a lot to improve take-up. Pensioners applying for pension credit can now access housing benefit and council tax benefit over the phone at the same time via the Pension Service.
	The Pension Service is undertaking a wide range of steps to encourage eligible pensioners to claim pension credit—for example, writing to everyone who may have an entitlement to pension credit, encouraging them to apply.
	The Pension Service local service is also continuing to work very closely with local partners (including local authorities as well as voluntary organisations such as Help the Aged and Age Concern) to maximise take up by pensioners of all of their entitlements.

Training: Basic Skills

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many client referrals were made from jobcentres to training providers who have won contracts for the provision of basic skills under Learning and Skills Council funding in each of the last six months.

Jim Murphy: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Referrals to Learning and Skills Council basic skills provision 
			   Number 
			 October 307 
			 November 763 
			 December 946 
			 January 887 
			  Note: Referrals did not start until late September. The September figures are included in October data as many providers were not set up to accept referrals until October or later.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Business Information System.

Voluntary Organisations: Catholic Church

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was to the public purse of funding for Catholic welfare agencies, excluding those providing housing or adoption services, in each year since 1997.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 19 February 2007
	The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was formed in June 2001 from the Department of Social Security (DSS), the Employment Service (ES) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Any financial information would only be available from that time.
	The Department for Work and Pensions has not provided any direct funding for Catholic welfare agencies.
	The Department's agencies have links with many voluntary and charitable organisations and in a number of cases have entered into contracts with them. However, it is not possible to say if payments have been made to any particular faith-based agencies as no record is kept of a supplier's religious affiliation.
	I announced on 19 February that I have asked the Department's commercial director to develop a centre of expertise within the procurement team working with the third sector, to specifically cover the needs of faith-based groups. In doing this, I want to make sure that access to contracts for faith groups can be on an even footing with all other private and voluntary sector organisations who wish to compete to deliver our services.